The US tightens employment-visa rules in 2025 with changes to H-1B selection, new fee proposals and work-permit updates. Read how the policy overhaul affects Indian tech professionals, EAD renewals, universities and employers.
US Announces Major Overhaul of H-1B Visa Rules
The US government has introduced a fresh round of employment-visa changes in 2025 that could reshape hiring in tech, academia and services. Key moves include a proposed overhaul of the H-1B selection process to prioritise higher-paid, higher-skilled applicants and a widely reported $100,000 fee proposal tied to new H-1B applications — measures that aim to favour top-tier talent while discouraging lower-paid placements.
White House guidance clarified the $100,000 measure would not apply to existing H-1B holders in many cases, but the rapid policy shifts have already generated anxiety among firms that rely on skilled foreign labour and among workers from India, who make up the majority of H-1B beneficiaries. Industry groups warn that higher costs and a skills-weighted selection could disrupt project staffing and talent pipelines.
Alongside H-1B changes, US agencies signalled stricter rules for employment-authorisation documents (EADs) and work-permit renewals, including limits on automatic extensions for certain filings — a move that could affect families and early-career migrants. State-level voices — notably Florida’s governor — amplified pressure by publicly criticising the H-1B model and urging institutions to curb visa hiring, even though immigration policy remains federal.
