US H-1B fee proposal may slow Indian IT hiring, push work offshore

A proposed $103,265 H-1B fee in the US could slow Indian IT hiring, while pushing American firms towards offshoring and intensifying global competition for Indian tech talent.

The proposed fee, up from the current $2,000-10,000 cost per petition, is expected to affect on-site hiring by Indian IT firms and could encourage US enterprises to shift more work offshore. The proposal would apply to all new H-1B petitions and is open for public comment for 30 days.