The Indian rupee plunged to a report low of 88.75 in opposition to the US greenback on Tuesday amid worries over US administration’s determination to hike H-1B visa price for brand spanking new functions and continued outflow by international portfolio traders.
The home forex slipped 44 paise to shut at 88.75, in comparison with earlier shut of 88.31. It touched a report low of 88.80 throughout intraday trades.
Final week, US President Donald Trump introduced a pointy enhance within the H-1B visa software price from $1,000 to $100,000 per applicant. The revised price is relevant solely to new functions. The transfer is prone to lead to a slowdown in remittance development and curtail service exports to the US, analysts mentioned.
“USDINR is buying and selling at 88.75, marking one more report excessive as considerations over potential H1B visa adjustments and commerce tensions weigh on sentiment,” mentioned Anindya Banerjee, head commodity and forex, Kotak Securities.
The Reserve Financial institution of India (RBI) appears snug letting the market set costs extra freely, with a weaker rupee appearing as a buffer within the commerce conflict backdrop, he mentioned.
The rupee is present process a gentle depreciation, marking its second consecutive day of decline and positioned it because the weakest performer amongst Asian currencies.
“This downturn is attributed to a persistent bearish wager by the merchants, which is being pushed by exterior worries and a continued outflow of international funds. Regardless of sturdy home high-frequency knowledge, these exterior pressures are exerting downward power on the native forex,” mentioned Dilip Parmar, analysis analyst, HDFC Securities.
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Over the past three months, international traders web bought Rs 61,522 crore of home equities as a result of tariff-related uncertainties.
Outlook
Wanting forward, the rupee is anticipated to take care of a weaker bias with a attainable gentle upside, supported by agency USD sentiment and attainable FPI inflows, mentioned Dipti Chitale, CEO, Mecklai Monetary Providers Pvt Ltd.
Home elements such because the anticipated 25 foundation factors (bps) reduce within the repo charge by the RBI in its upcoming financial coverage and the result of commerce talks between Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and US Commerce Consultant Jamieson Greer might be key elements to observe for near-term course.
“Within the absence of supportive world flows, the rupee is prone to keep underneath strain, with RBI interventions offering interim stability,” she mentioned.
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Close to time period, spot USDINR may transfer throughout the 88.00–89.50 vary, mentioned Banerjee of Kotak Securities.

