H-1B Visa Fee Hike: $100,000 Levy Could Shake IT & Healthcare, Ajay Bagga

Banking and market expert Ajay Bagga explains the potential consequences of the upcoming H-1B visa fee hike in the United States. While companies have claimed minimal impact, Bagga highlights that the new $100,000 levy per visa could significantly affect IT firms, healthcare providers, and other sectors reliant on skilled foreign workers. Last year, the US issued 141,000 new H-1B visas, along with approximately 260,000 renewals. Bagga emphasises that Indian-origin doctors, especially those serving rural areas, and IT professionals in large firms could face substantial cost increases. While offshoring to nearby regions such as Canada may provide partial solutions, the measure could reshape hiring strategies and profit pools across industries. The new rules will apply to petitions filed from February 2026 onwards.