Nasscom has raised concerns over the proposed $103,265 additional fee on cap-subject H-1B visa petitions in the US, stressing that the programme addresses temporary skill shortages. The industry body noted that Indian tech firms have reduced H-1B hiring while expanding local recruitment and invested over $1.1 billion in the US STEM ecosystem.

New Delhi: IT industry’s apex body Nasscom said on Tuesday that a proposed increase in visa fees in the US must be viewed in the context of the programme’s original purpose of enabling access to temporary skills, where there is a shortage in the US.

Nasscom said it remains actively engaged with all key stakeholders on this matter.

The new $103,265 H-1B executive rule is a proposed US Department of Homeland Security regulation where the public has 30 days to comment.

The administration says the fee would recover immigration-system costs and encourage employers to hire and train American workers instead of relying on foreign labour.