Overview

• The White House says the surcharge applies only once and only to new H‑1B petitions filed on or after Sept. 21, following early confusion from officials that spurred rushed travel and hiring pauses.
• Major research universities warn annual outlays could exceed $10 million if hiring levels hold, raising the risk of cuts to research, graduate programs, and clinical staffing.
• India’s government said it is engaging U.S. counterparts as stakeholders prepare formal comments, highlighting the role of skilled mobility in both economies.
• The U.K. is weighing removing fees for its Global Talent visa to attract researchers, with science groups arguing that simpler, cheaper rules would strengthen its recruiting edge.
• Analysts project a modest 10–20 bps margin hit for Indian IT firms with 30–70% of costs likely passed to clients, while some tech leaders back the move for adding certainty even as lawyers forecast legal challenges and employers assess local impacts from healthcare to manufacturing.