Washington, D.C., USA:  Since Donald Trump assumed the presidency of the United States, India has repeatedly faced setbacks. First, Trump imposed steep tariffs that hit India’s export sector. Now, Indians aspiring to work in the U.S. have been dealt another major jolt.

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order increasing the annual H-1B visa fee to a staggering $100,000. This marks a significant change in the U.S. immigration system, one that directly affects Indian professionals who rely heavily on this visa to work in America.

The new policy is expected to affect both India and China in a big way. Under this rule, American companies seeking to employ foreign specialists must now pay $100,000 per year per worker. Data shows that nearly 71% of H-1B visa holders in the U.S. are Indian nationals, while Chinese professionals account for about 11.7%. The H-1B program, originally launched in 1990, was designed to enable U.S. companies to hire highly skilled foreign talent.

For decades, thousands of foreign workers have entered the U.S. through this visa route. The system functions through a lottery method—applicants first pay a standard application fee, and if selected, additional charges are required. Each year, the U.S. allocates 85,000 H-1B visas through this lottery. While most companies cover these visa costs for their employees, the sudden and steep hike is expected to place an enormous financial strain on businesses that rely heavily on foreign expertise.