How do H1B Visa Changes Benefit International Students?
The Trump administration has introduced some major changes to the H1B visa program. As per an Indian American immigration attorney, Aparna Dave, the new H1B visa rules will benefit international students who have gained their education from American universities. As per the new guidelines, students who have completed their master’s or PhD in the USA will be prioritized while granting the H1B visa. This move will make it easier for them to stay and work after they graduate. As per Aparna Dave, an Indian-American immigration lawyer, the new reforms are like ‘light over darkness’ as they offer a hopeful situation for students studying in USA. This initiative is taken up by the Trump administration to prioritize skilled talent, decrease fraudulent visa applications, and ensure that the USA retains its highly educated workforce. Read along to understand how the H1B visa changes benefit international students.
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New H1B Visa Policy
Under the new H1B visa policy in USA which was introduced in September 2025 by the Trump administration, the fees for the visa have increased to $100,000. This created uncertainty amongst international students, both those who were aiming to study in USA and those who were in USA looking forward to transitioning from OPT to an H1B visa. However, it was later clarified by the government that International students who earn their master’s or doctoral degrees from US institutions will be prioritized in the H1B lottery. This initiative is taken up to retain the skilled talent that has been trained in the USA. Apart from this, the higher visa costs will continue impacting the smaller companies and organisations in USA as not all have a budget for sponsoring employees and at the same time pay the increased H1B visa fees.
What are the Benefits of the New H1B Visa Policy for Indian Students?
At a conference called the Diaspora at the Crossroads: Law, Policy and Opportunities, conducted in Bethesda, Maryland, an Indian-American immigration attorney, Aparna Dave, stated how the new H1B visa changes are beneficial for international students. She believes that this new change in USA will provide work security to graduates as after the announcement of the H1B visa fee hike, there was increased uncertainty. This shift also means that the skilled graduates who have already invested their time, effort, and finances into their education in the USA will not go to waste. The new H1B visa changes also provide the following benefits.
Higher Chances of Selection: Indian students who earn a master’s or PhD degree from an American institution will have a higher chance of getting selected in the H1B lottery.
Smoother Transition to the Job Market: The new H1B visa changes will make it easier for Indian students studying in USA to have a smoother transition from F1 visa to H1B visa. Moreover, those who are undergoing the OPT training will also experience a smoother transition.
Encourages Indian Aspirants to Study in USA: As the job uncertainty is over and international students will be considered for the H1B visa, this will attract more Indian students to choose USA as their study abroad destination.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the new rule for H-1B 2025?
A:
The new rule for H1B visa 2025 includes the increased fees of $100,000. Later, another update was released stating that international students on an F1 visa in the USA will be prioritized during the H1B visa lottery system. Moreover, there were exemptions announced for the H1B visa fees. Anybody who is planning to renew, change status or is currently in USA and applying for the visa is exempted from the increased H1B fee.
Q: Does the new H-1B rule apply to F-1 students?
A:
No, F1 students currently studying in the USA are not required to pay the increased H1B visa fee of $100,000. They are exempted from the new rule. The new rule applies to new applications only.
Q: Will student visa holders have to pay $100,000 to get an H-1B visa?
A:
The increased H1B visa fee of $100,000 is to be paid by the US sponsors. These sponsors are the employers who employ students on a student visa. The students do not have to bear the increased H1B visa fees.
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