Hyderabad: US President Donald Trump’s directive to raise the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 has sparked alarm in the Telugu states. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana send thousands of visa applicants to the US each year, making the region highly vulnerable to this change.
Experts estimate that around 35% of Indians who receive H-1B visas annually are from the Telugu-speaking states. Data from the US consulate shows that 56% of Indian students currently studying in America are from this region. Most apply for H-1B visas after graduation or through Indian IT companies that file petitions on their behalf.
Until now, the highest cost for H-1B processing under premium categories stayed below $8,000. Trump’s new $100,000 fee, therefore, represents a drastic hike. Industry observers believe many firms may form legal alliances to contest the policy. However, the decision may already alter hiring behaviour.
Families in Telugu states fear loss after high education investments
Parents across the Telugu states often take loans or sell land to fund their children’s US education. These families now face mounting anxiety. Students already in the US report limited job offers and delays in visa appointments. New applicants confront uncertainty, especially if companies hesitate to absorb the new financial burden.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Telugu students heading to the US surged to nearly 70,000 per year. Many of them send money home to repay family debts or buy property. Trump’s decision now places these earnings at risk, threatening the economic stability of thousands of rural households.
H-1B visa fee hike may shift hiring to OPT students
Students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) are not affected by the new fee. They studied in the US and qualify for three years of employment without needing immediate H-1B sponsorship. Employers also save on taxes and salary costs when hiring under OPT.
Many companies may now choose OPT candidates over external hires. Telugu families fear that companies might stop sponsoring H-1B visas altogether. This shift could temporarily benefit students already in the US, but long-term implications remain unclear.
The IT sector is already under strain. Major firms have begun large-scale layoffs, and hiring has slowed. Many students who graduated in the US remain unemployed. If companies refuse to pay the visa fee, these students may be forced to return home, worsening their families’ financial burden.
Reports also suggest Trump may raise the salary threshold for H-1B eligibility. Some insiders say the limit could increase to $120,000–$150,000 per year. That would disqualify many entry-level workers and restrict fresh graduates from applying.
