India has taken up US visa fee hike issue with US assures Sitharaman

She said no comprehensive changes in work visa programmes, including H-1B

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

Image via Shutterstock
Image via Shutterstock

The has not made any 'comprehensive changes' in its programmes, including H-1B visas, so far despite taking up the issue with the American from time to time, was informed on Monday.

Commerce and Industry Minister said that the problems being faced by the have been raised by with the from time to time at various levels.


has also taken up the matter on visa fee hike in the dispute settlement body of the World Trade Organization (WTO), she said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

"The has not made any comprehensive changes to the programmes including H-1B visas so far," she said.

The minister also said has made continuous efforts to raise concerns pertaining to IT and ITeS industries in different bilateral meetings including in the

Indian has raised concerns over the proposed changes in the visa regime. Any changes may result in higher operational costs and shortage of skilled workers for the $110 billion Indian industry.

Indian IT sector, which contributes 9.3 per cent to the country's GDP, is one of the largest private sector employers at 3.7 million people.

The contributes nearly 62 per cent of the exports, while EU is the second largest market for Indian IT services exporters contributing approximately 28 per cent.