Trump’s H-1B visa & immigration crackdown: Indians look at EB-1A visa route – all you want to know
Hit by the steep hike in H-1B visa fee and the crackdown by the Donald Trump administration on immigration, Indians are now eyeing alternative routes for their US dream. With increasing restrictions on H-1B visas under the Trump administration, more Indians are opting for EB-1A visas, which are meant for individuals who have exceptional abilities, according to specialists in the field.The heightened scrutiny of employment-based work permits, including H-1B visas, has intensified since Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency. The hike in H-1B visa fee to $100,000 for new applications, starting September 2025, has prompted workers to seek different options. There is also increased interest in EB2-NIW (national interest waiver) applications, which provide green cards to qualified professionals working in sectors deemed crucial to US interests. According to an ET report, recent statistics from Boundless Immigration, a US immigration services firm, reveal that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) got 7,338 EB-1A applications in the first quarter of FY25, showing a 56% rise from the previous quarter.
Goodbye H-1B, hello to EB-1A visas?
The chief executive of Boundless Immigration, Xiao Wang, notes that H-1B’s unpredictability encourages both staff and organisations to consider immigration pathways that offer greater stability and predictability.“EB-1A petitions have surged as high-achieving professionals seek control over their immigration status. The trend is toward immigration strategies that prioritise stability and long-term planning over short-term fixes,” he said.
