$100,000 annual fee for H-1B visas, Pg 4.

Key Highlights:

• The US government is considering a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visas.
• The new rule aims to ensure that H-1B visa holders are highly skilled and do not replace American workers.
• The Indian government has expressed concerns about the potential humanitarian consequences and disruptions to families.
• The US order claims that the H-1B visa scheme has been exploited by companies to replace American workers with lower-paid labor.

Detailed Insights:

• The US government justifies the move by stating that the H-1B visa program has been abused by companies to replace American workers with lower-paid, lower-skilled labor, undermining economic and national security.
• The number of foreign STEM workers in the US more than doubled between 2000 and 2019, while overall STEM employment only increased by 44.5 percent during that time.
• The US government also introduced the 'Gold Card' program, offering expedited visa treatment and a path to a Green Card for foreigners of extraordinary ability who can pay $1 million to the US Treasury.
• The US government believes the new measures will protect American workers, ensure companies hire truly extraordinary people, and generate over $100 billion for the US Treasury.

Key Concepts Involved:

• H-1B Visa: A non-immigrant visa that allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
• Green Card: A permanent resident card allowing foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the United States.
• STEM Fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields, considered critical for innovation and economic growth.