**Trump’s New H-1B Visa Fee Will Drive Start-Ups to India: Amitabh Kant**

*By Akash Pandey | September 20, 2025, 03:07 PM*

Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and ex-CEO of NITI Aayog, has voiced strong opinions regarding US President Donald Trump’s newly announced H-1B visa policy. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Kant highlighted that the proposed $100,000 annual fee per H-1B visa worker would stifle innovation within the United States while providing a significant boost to India’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem.

According to Kant, by effectively shutting its doors to global talent, America risks shifting technology labs and startups to Indian cities such as Bangalore, Pune, Gurugram, and Hyderabad. He emphasized that this policy shift presents a unique opportunity for India’s top doctors, engineers, scientists, and innovators to contribute meaningfully to the country’s developmental goals.

### An Opportunity for a ‘Viksit Bharat’

Kant described the new US visa restrictions as a potential catalyst for India’s ambition to become a developed nation—often referred to as ‘Viksit Bharat’. With Indian professionals historically dominating the H-1B visa program, the move could propel domestic innovation and entrepreneurship at home.

Last year, Indian nationals accounted for approximately 71% of approved H-1B visa beneficiaries, according to official government data. This statistic underscores the pivotal role Indian talent has played in shaping the US technology landscape.

### Understanding the New H-1B Policy

The Trump administration’s executive order aims to curb abuses of the H-1B program and prioritize American workers. The new rules apply to both new applications and renewals, introducing a steep $100,000 annual fee per skilled worker under the visa program. Additionally, a “gold card” program has been launched, offering expedited visas for wealthy investors willing to invest up to $2 million in the US economy.

Major technology companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta have historically received thousands of H-1B approvals under the previous rules, leveraging global talent to drive growth.

### Potential Impact on US Industries

These changes, which take effect from September 21, 2025, could severely affect several crucial sectors in the US, including healthcare, higher education, and technology. The steep fees may deter companies from hiring skilled international workers, potentially leading to talent shortages.

While the new policy is expected to face legal challenges, if upheld, it would significantly increase the cost of employing foreign professionals under the H-1B program.

### Global Talent Shift: ‘America’s Loss, India’s Gain’

Amitabh Kant’s remarks serve as a strong endorsement of India’s ability to fill the innovation void that might be created by America’s tighter immigration rules. He stated, “America’s loss will be India’s gain,” underscoring the vast pool of Indian doctors, engineers, scientists, and innovators who are now positioned to contribute substantially to India’s growth story.

As the H-1B program remains a critical gateway for Indian engineers and professionals impacting the global tech industry, the evolving US visa landscape could reshape the innovation map, favoring India’s burgeoning technology hubs.

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*Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth analyses on global tech and policy shifts.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/trump-s-h-1b-fee-hurts-us-but-helps-india-amitabh-kant/story

**Trump’s H-1B Fee Will Drive Start-ups to India: Amitabh Kant**

*By Akash Pandey | Sep 20, 2025, 03:07 PM*

Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and ex-CEO of NITI Aayog, has voiced strong opinions on the recent changes to the US H-1B visa policy introduced by President Donald Trump. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kant highlighted that the newly imposed $100,000 annual fee for each H-1B visa worker could stifle innovation in the United States while accelerating growth in India.

According to Kant, America’s decision to restrict global talent inflow is effectively pushing research labs and start-ups to Indian cities such as Bangalore, Pune, Gurugram, and Hyderabad. This shift, he argues, presents India with a unique opportunity to boost its innovation ecosystem and move closer to realizing the vision of *Viksit Bharat* (Developed India).

**Opportunity for India’s Talent**

Kant emphasized that India’s top doctors, engineers, scientists, and innovators now have an unprecedented chance to lead the nation’s development in technology and innovation. Given that Indian professionals have been significant beneficiaries of the H-1B visa program—accounting for 71% of approvals last year—this policy shift could redirect global talent and investment back to India.

**Understanding the H-1B Visa Changes**

The new H-1B visa rules, effective from September 21, 2025, aim to curb abuses within the program while prioritizing American workers. Besides the steep $100,000 annual fee per visa worker, the policy introduces a “gold card” program designed to attract wealthy investors who can make expedited visa applications by investing up to $2 million in the US.

Major US tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta have historically utilized the H-1B program extensively, with thousands of approvals under the previous regulations. The updated policy changes could have significant repercussions across America’s healthcare, higher education, and technology industries due to increased costs and stricter requirements.

**Impact and Industry Response**

While the new rules could face legal challenges, if upheld, they may compel companies to rethink their international hiring strategies, potentially reducing opportunities for skilled global workers in the US market. The steep fees could discourage start-ups and innovation hubs from building operations stateside.

**Global Shift: ‘America’s Loss Is India’s Gain’**

Summarizing his views, Amitabh Kant stated, “America’s loss will be India’s gain.” He further praised India’s pool of talented professionals, noting they are well-equipped to fill the innovation gap left by the US’s restrictive approach.

As India stands ready to harness this opportunity, the global technology landscape could see a significant pivot toward Indian innovation centers, reshaping the future of start-ups and research worldwide.

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*For more updates on international policies and tech innovation, stay tuned.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/trump-s-h-1b-fee-hurts-us-but-helps-india-amitabh-kant/story