India

Indian Commerce Minister Praises Fewer H‑1B Visas as Beneficial for Economy

By Arya Mishra

Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday that a reduction in H‑1B visas for Indians is "good" for India’s economy. He added that he has never raised the H‑1B or green‑card issue in his talks with the United States over the past 7½ years. Goyal explained that immigration is not directly related to trade, but mobility is, and that each country has the right to regulate access. He noted that many of India’s top talent have moved to the United States and that the absence of more H‑1B visas is a positive development for the country.

The remarks come amid a U.S. crackdown on the H‑1B program. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Labor suspended the permanent labor certification (PERM) process for several major Indian IT firms, including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini, as well as for Microsoft and Adobe. The PERM process is the first step in obtaining a green card for foreign workers.

The U.S. has also imposed a $100,000 one‑time processing fee on H‑1B visas, which was extended until September 21, 2027. The H‑1B program allows U.S. employers to hire skilled foreign workers, particularly in technology, for several years.

Goyal’s comments were made in the context of ongoing scrutiny of the H‑1B program by the Trump‑led administration, which has sought to limit immigrant workers in the United States.