The U.S. government has confirmed that students on F-1 visas can switch to H-1B work visas without leaving the country, making things easier for Indian students and employers.
Indian students in the U.S. can breathe easier. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has clarified that the recently announced $100,000 H-1B surcharge will not apply to students or graduates changing status from F-1 to H-1B within the country.
The rule, introduced by presidential proclamation, targets new H-1B petitions filed from outside the U.S., not in-country transitions. This means students on OPT or STEM OPT can continue working or applying for H-1B sponsorships without the additional cost.
“This clarification is exactly what we have been advocating,” said Aman Singh, Co-founder of GradRight. “The proposed $100,000 H-1B fee was never meant to hinder genuine talent, and the official clarification reinforces that message.”
The update provides welcome relief for both students and employers who hire locally trained graduates – particularly in STEM and tech fields, where Indian representation is strong.
While the surcharge still applies to offshore petitions and first-time transfers from India, experts say the move preserves the study-to-work pathway that draws Indian students to the U.S. and reaffirms the country’s commitment to attracting skilled global talent.
[Source: The Hindu]
