A software professional, who wished to remain anonymous, detailed a distressing experience of spending over $8,000 (£5,900) on flights to ensure his return to the U.S. before a looming deadline. This urgent travel was prompted by anxieties over a new executive order by President Donald Trump that introduced a $100,000 (£74,000) fee for skilled foreign worker visa applicants.
The individual had been visiting family in Nagpur, India, for his father’s death anniversary. He cut his trip short after hearing that companies and immigration lawyers were advising H-1B visa holders outside the U.S. to return immediately, as the order was set to take effect on Sunday. Although the White House later clarified that the fee would be a one-time charge and not apply to current visa holders, the initial announcement caused significant confusion and panic.
India is the largest recipient of H-1B visas, with its citizens holding over 70% of the 85,000 visas issued annually. The clarification, posted on X by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, came too late for many, including the software professional who had already booked and rebooked multiple flights within eight hours. He described the situation as “traumatic” and expressed his feelings of being unwelcome despite years of contributing to the U.S. economy. He noted his relief that his wife and daughter had not accompanied him on this trip.
The H-1B visa program facilitates the entry of foreign professionals into the U.S. for specialized roles, with employers sponsoring their applications. Major tech companies like Amazon, Tata, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google are significant beneficiaries of this program.
Another visa holder, who was on holiday in Europe, shared similar concerns about the confusion. “We are yet to see how employers are thinking and how this will play out,” they stated, adding that immigration lawyers were still advising return to the U.S. pending further clarity.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s post on X aimed to clarify that the fee would be a one-off, not an annual charge, and would not affect current H-1B visa holders, allowing them to re-enter the country as they normally would.