US to revoke 200,000 visas of asylum seekers, plans to hike H-1B fee

Several American universities have asked international students to return to the US before the new immigration rules on fixed-term visas come into effect on September 15. Universities have issued advisories on the new immigration rules and conducted webinars and interactive sessions with international students to sensitise them about the rules that will apply differently to those already in the US and those arriving after the deadline.
“Harvard International Office is now recommending that J-1 scholars and F-1 and J-1 international students enrolled in on-campus programmes this fall try to be in the US when a new Department of Homeland Security rule imposing four-year limits and other restrictions on student visa status takes effect on Sept 15,” the Harvard Crimson said.  Amid tightening of immigration policies, the number of Indian students seeking admission in US colleges witnessed a 15 per cent decline in 2025-26 over the previous year, a report by a non-profit organisation representing over 1,100 institutions said. A report released by the Common App shows that although application volume for undergraduate admission in the upcoming 2026-27 academic year rose overall, the number of international applicants through March 1 fell 10 per cent, the steepest decline on record.
Meanwhile,the US on Monday proposed an additional fee of USD 103,265 for all H-1B visa cap-subject applications, including those filed by applicants eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The US Congress currently limits the H-1B visa programme to 65,000 visas a year under the regular cap. An additional 20,000 visas are available for foreign workers who have obtained a master's degree or higher from a US institution. This is commonly known as the "master's cap". While the H-1B is a temporary, employer-sponsored US non-immigrant visa which allows American companies to hire foreign workers in specialised fields, the OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a 12-month work authorization for international students on an F-1 visa.
The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, according to State Department documents obtained by The Associated Press and two US officials. If carried out, it would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history and would likely face legal challenges. Unless the plan is challenged or revised, the State Department is expected in the coming weeks to announce the revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who have sought asylum or are now seeking asylum. The move is being taken in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said, "We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States claiming to be short-term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently." He declined to comment on how many visas might be revoked, saying, "as the process will be ongoing, the number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis."