IIT Madras director Professor V Kamakoti has termed Donald Trump’s 100,000 H-1B visa fee hike a “blessing in disguise” for India. US President Donald Trump recently approved a steep hike in H-1B visa application costs, raising the fee from $10,000 to $100,000. “I see this as a blessing in disguise and we must thank President Trump for it. According to him, the visa fee hike could help India retain its brightest minds and encourage more graduates to contribute directly to domestic innovation and research. Why It Matters For India’s Talent PoolFor decades, the H-1B visa has been a key pathway for Indian engineers and graduates looking to work in the US.