Rohan Mehta, an employee in the tech industry, recently spent over $8,000 on flights as he rushed to return to the United States from Nagpur, India. He was visiting for the anniversary of his father’s death but cut his trip short due to an impending deadline related to new visa fees. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a one-time fee of $100,000 on applications for the H-1B visa program, which is primarily used by skilled foreign workers. Companies and immigration attorneys had advised individuals on H-1B visas abroad to return to the U.S. before the order took effect.
Following the executive order, the White House clarified that the fee would not apply to current visa holders but would affect new applicants starting with the next visa application cycle. This clarification arrived too late for some individuals who were already making plans to return home.
H-1B visa holders from India constitute a significant majority of users in the program, accounting for over 70% of the 85,000 visas issued annually. Mehta, who has lived in the U.S. for 11 years, expressed feelings of uncertainty about his future and the impact of the new fee on his life and career.
Reports indicate widespread concern and confusion among H-1B visa holders following the announcements. Many of them have established long-term careers in the United States but fear how the new regulations might affect their status. Some individuals on holiday in other countries also expressed uncertainty about the implications of the executive order, seeking guidance from legal advisors.
The H-1B visa program allows employers to sponsor skilled professionals, particularly in specialized fields. Major companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have been notable beneficiaries of this program in previous years. The White House reiterated that those currently holding H-1B visas are not subject to the new fee when re-entering the country but emphasized that the fee would apply only to new applicants.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4wwwz2p1po?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss