H-1B visa interest dips as Trump administration bans multiple filings, raises costs for Indian applicants

The demand for H-1B visa applications from Hyderabad has plummeted this year, with local consultancies citing rising costs and new filing restrictions as major deterrents. The decline follows a sharp fee hike by the US government and stricter rules limiting multiple applications, according to a report by Times of India.

Hyderabad, home to major multinational companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, has long been a key source of H-1B applicants. However, this year, consultancy firms report an unprecedented drop in interest.

"I have not even received a single call about H-1B filing until now," told Arun Teja Bukkaparapu to Times of India, who runs a consultancy in Hyderabad. He pointed to growing uncertainty over US job prospects and the increased application fee—from $10 to $215—as key factors discouraging applicants.

The new restriction, which allows only one application per individual, tied to a single passport, has also impacted demand. "Earlier, people could submit multiple applications through different employers to improve their chances. That’s no longer possible," Bukkaparapu added.

The H-1B visa program in the US allows companies to employ foreign workers in specialized occupations.

• How many visas? The program grants 65,000 visas each year. There are an additional 20,000 visas specifically for individuals who have a master's degree or higher from a US institution.
• Indians and the H-1B: A large number of H-1B visa holders are from India, but there isn't a quota or special reservation specifically for Indian citizens. Everyone competes for the same pool of visas.
• Demand Exceeds Supply: The program is extremely popular. Last year, around 1.5 million applications were filed. However, this number is inflated because many individuals submit multiple applications, leading to approximately 600,000 - 700,000 unique applicants. This high number shows that the demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the available supply.

In short, the H-1B is a competitive program that lets US companies hire skilled workers from other countries, but demand is very high.