New York City, NY, USA: Over the weekend, H-1B visa holders were thrown into confusion and anxiety as a sudden change in U.S. immigration policy forced many to make tough decisions between family obligations overseas and professional commitments in America. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, part of a wider crackdown on immigration, sent shockwaves through technology and financial sectors, prompting workers from India and China to alter travel plans and urgently return to the U.S.
At San Francisco International Airport, an engineer recounted the heart-wrenching dilemma he faced as his wife was scheduled to travel to Dubai. “It’s a situation where we had to choose between family and staying here,” he said. Following the announcement, several Indian travelers requested to leave the Emirates flight, resulting in a delay of over three hours. Ultimately, his wife, who also holds an H-1B visa, returned to India to care for her ailing mother. “It’s truly tragic. We’ve established our life here,” he told Reuters.
Similar stories surfaced on social media. On the Chinese platform Rednote, a user named “Emily's Life in NY” shared that she boarded a United Airlines flight from New York to Paris, only to be redirected to the gate after her company’s legal team instructed employees abroad to return immediately. “I feel a mix of disappointment, sadness, and frustration,” she wrote, explaining that she had to cancel plans with friends, including visitors from China.
Leading U.S. companies acted quickly to reassure staff. Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Goldman Sachs issued urgent guidance clarifying that the $100,000 fee applies solely to new H-1B visa applications and does not impact existing visa holders or renewals. Amazon assured employees that current H-1B holders need not take any action. IBM Vice Chairman Gary Cohn told CBS’s Face the Nation: “There was a lot of panic over the weekend because people weren’t clear about the status of existing H-1B visas. The issue has since been clarified, and there’s no ongoing crisis.”
The policy shift has raised concerns among diaspora organizations. Indiaspora emphasized that H-1B professionals “have long been at the forefront of innovation, founding companies that create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the U.S. and contributing billions in tax revenue at federal, state, and local levels.” The group warned that limiting skilled visa holders could hinder startups, higher education programs, and scientific research.
The Indian government has asked its missions in the U.S. to support citizens affected by the policy, highlighting the humanitarian impact. Official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “This policy could have serious humanitarian implications by disrupting family life. We hope U.S. authorities will address these challenges appropriately.”
U.S. officials clarified that the $100,000 fee is a one-time charge applying only to new visa petitions. USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow explained: “This proclamation applies only to petitions not yet filed. It does not affect individuals who already hold valid H-1B visas or those whose petitions were submitted before the effective date.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that existing H-1B visa holders traveling abroad will not be subject to the new fee.
