H-1B hike is Trump’s 2nd blow to gems & jewellery

Donald Trump's decision to hike H-IB visa fees may have put the spotlight on India’s information technology (IT) services industry, but it has also delivered a twin blow to the gems and jewellery sector—which is not only reeling from tariffs but also has thousands of artisans and technicians working in the US on these work permits.

- Devina Sengupta

“Indian jewellers employ gemologists, metallurgists, quality control scientists, IT professionals on H-1B visa,” said Poorvi Chothani, Immigration attorney and managing partner, LawQuest. “The additional cost of $100,000 may also deter employers from engaging H-IB workers. The jewellers may just offshore the roles-they will get these jobs done overseas.”