India, Aug. 4 -- The Donald Trump administration is moving to make the H-1B visa regime more expensive by extending an additional visa fee to renewal petitions, a change that could significantly increase costs for companies retaining foreign workers in the US.

At present, the additional fee applies only to new H-1B and L-1 petitions and certain change-of-employer filings. Under a proposed rule, employers would also have to pay the fee when extending the stay of existing H-1B and L-1 employees.

The move is expected to disproportionately affect Indian professionals, who accounted for more than three-fourths of all H-1B visa extension approvals in fiscal year 2025.

Rule heads towards finalisation

The proposal, formally issued as a Notice...