**Trump’s H-1B Fee Hike Sparks Hilarious Memes on Social Media**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 20, 2025, 06:01 PM*
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**What’s the Story?**
US President Donald Trump’s recent hike in H-1B visa fees has stirred significant reactions across the globe, especially within the tech community. Under the new policy, companies applying for H-1B visas will be required to pay an annual fee of $100,000 (approximately 90 lakh rupees) per application. This steep increase has rattled tech giants like Microsoft and Meta, prompting many to urge their H-1B visa-holding employees to return to the US before the September 21 deadline set by the administration.
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**Online Reaction: Memes Galore**
Social media users have turned their anxiety into humor, flooding platforms with creative memes about the fee hike. Popular Bollywood movie scenes, including iconic moments from *Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge*, have been repurposed to depict the situation — such as Amrish Puri welcoming NRIs back to India. Other jokes play on scenarios like job interviews in Mangolpuri Industrial Area, highlighting how people are coping with the uncertainty surrounding the new policy through laughter.
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**H-1B Holders’ Rush Humorously Mocked**
The new order restricts entry into the US for workers whose visa petitions do not include the $100,000 fee. The policy goes into effect from September 21, and immigration attorneys warn that many H-1B holders still in India may have already missed their window to return due to travel constraints.
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**Professional Implications: Indian Professionals Hit Hardest**
The H-1B program is critical for US companies to hire foreign workers for specialized roles. With this fee hike, employers must now pay a hefty $100,000 per visa annually, placing the greatest burden on Indian professionals, who represent the largest share of H-1B holders across technology, consulting, and healthcare sectors.
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**Sector Impact: Critics Sound Alarm**
Critics argue the move could severely impact the US tech sector, which relies heavily on skilled workers from countries like India and China. White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf asserted that the proclamation aims to ensure that only “very high-skilled” workers—those who cannot be replaced domestically—are brought to the US.
However, opponents contend that this policy could reduce opportunities for junior or entry-level roles, limiting career prospects for many aspiring professionals.
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**Hiring Changes: Startups and Smaller Firms May Suffer**
This drastic fee increase may ignite discussions about reforming the H-1B lottery system and introducing wage-based prioritization, aligning visa access with higher-paying and highly skilled positions. Startups and smaller companies are likely to bear the brunt of these changes, as absorbing the additional financial burden could restrict their ability to hire international talent and grow their workforce.
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As the deadline approaches, the tech community and international professionals watch closely, navigating the challenges posed by this unprecedented shift in US immigration policy.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/internet-reacts-to-trump-s-h-1b-fee-hike-with-viral-memes/story
