US H-1B Fee Hike to $100,000 Triggers Flight Fare Surge
Flight prices between India and the United States spiked after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a steep increase in H-1B visa application fees to $100,000 (around ₹88 lakh). A quick check on travel platforms showed that a one-way ticket from New Delhi to New York on Saturday cost at least ₹52,440.
Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi seized on the news, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that India has a “weak prime minister,” repeating his earlier criticism of the government’s stance toward Washington.
The White House later clarified that the $100,000 charge is a one-time fee applied only to new H-1B visa applications, not an annual payment. Until now, H-1B processing costs have typically ranged from about ₹1 lakh to ₹6 lakh. The directive was signed by President Trump on Saturday.
In a promotional move, U.S. authorities also announced premium “Corporate Gold,” “Trump Platinum,” and “Trump Gold” cards. Holders of the Trump Gold Card—priced around ₹8.8 crore—would reportedly gain the right to live in the U.S. indefinitely.
Policy analysts are questioning the economic impact. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) warned that the massive fee hike could backfire on the United States. Indian IT companies already employ 50–80% local workers in the U.S., including about 100,000 American citizens, the group noted. With on-site costs for Indian professionals rising sharply, the new fee may simply make hiring U.S. locals cheaper than importing talent, without meaningfully increasing employment.
For comparison, an IT manager in the U.S. with five years of experience typically earns $120,000–$150,000 a year, while an equivalent role in India pays roughly 40–80% less, even when filled through the H-1B program.
