The Trump administration is considering major changes to U.S. immigration fees and rules that could significantly affect foreign workers, international students and employers, with Indian nationals likely to be among the most affected.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to propose an H-1B petition fee of $103,265, according to a filing posted in the Federal Register on August 24. The proposal has already moved through the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), according to immigration law firm Fragomen.

The details of the proposed rule remain confidential and will be made public only after the government formally releases it. Fragomen said the proposed H-1B fee may be connected to ongoing litigation involving the administration’s previously blocked $100,000 H-1B petition fee.

Indians likely to face significant impact

The proposed increase could have major implications for Indian professionals and technology workers because Indians account for the largest share of H-1B beneficiaries.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approved 399,402 H-1B petitions in 2024, with Indian-born beneficiaries accounting for about 71% of those approved, according to figures cited in the report.

A fee exceeding $100,000 could substantially increase the cost for U.S. companies seeking to sponsor skilled foreign workers. Employers could potentially face difficult decisions over hiring, sponsorship and workforce planning if the proposal becomes final.

The administration is also considering a major fee for certain F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications. Fragomen said a proposed OPT fee rule was submitted to OMB on August 20 and remains under review. The DHS could propose an OPT fee of around $100,000, although the exact amount and scope have not yet been officially disclosed.

Possible end to 60-day H-1B grace period

The proposed fees come as the DHS considers additional restrictions on H-1B workers who lose their jobs.

Earlier this month, the department proposed eliminating the existing 60-day grace period for certain H-1B workers and their dependents after employment ends. Under current rules, eligible workers generally have up to 60 days, or until the end of their authorized stay, whichever comes first, to find another employer or otherwise maintain lawful status.

If the proposed change is finalized, affected workers could have to leave the United States much sooner after losing employment.

A major concern for Indian professionals

The potential changes are particularly significant for the Indian American community. More than 5.2 million people of Indian origin live in the United States, according to recent estimates based on U.S. Census data.

For now, the proposed H-1B and OPT fees remain under review, and no final regulations have been announced. The immigration community will be watching closely for the official publication of the proposals, which will clarify their scope, implementation dates and potential exemptions.

If adopted, the measures could represent one of the most significant increases in the cost and uncertainty surrounding the employment-based immigration system in the United States.