Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee sparks chaos as Indian workers scramble to return
By isabelle // 2025-09-22
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  • Trump’s sudden $100,000 H-1B visa fee sparked panic among Indian tech workers who were already abroad.
  • Chaos erupted at airports as families scrambled to return to the U.S. before the deadline.
  • India’s government warned of humanitarian fallout from the abrupt policy shift.
  • Tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft urged employees to rush back amid confusion.
  • The move is part of Trump’s broader crackdown on immigration, sparking debate over protectionism vs. global talent.
The sudden announcement of a $100,000 fee for H-1B work visas by President Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the Indian tech community, triggering desperate last-minute flights, airport chaos, and warnings of "humanitarian consequences" from India’s government. The policy, effective Saturday, caught thousands off guard, many of whom were already abroad on vacation or visiting family, forcing them to either rush back to the U.S. or risk being locked out. The H-1B visa, a key pathway for skilled foreign workers, is dominated by Indian professionals, who make up over 70% of recipients. Until now, fees ranged from $2,000 to $5,000, but the new $100,000 price tag—later clarified as a one-time fee per petition—sent companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs scrambling to advise employees to return before the deadline. The panic was so intense that some passengers on flights to India and Europe demanded to deplane mid-takeoff, causing delays.

Families torn apart, flights delayed

At San Francisco International Airport, an engineer at a major tech company described the scene as "tragic" after his wife, also an H-1B holder, had to choose between returning to the U.S. or staying in India to care for her sick mother. "We have built a life here," he told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. His wife’s Emirates flight to Dubai was delayed for over three hours as passengers, many of them Indian, begged to disembark after learning of the policy change. Video footage circulating on social media showed confused passengers checking their phones as the captain announced, "We are aware that a number of passengers do not wish to travel with us. That’s perfectly fine." The chaos extended beyond U.S. borders, with reports of H-1B holders cutting short vacations in Tokyo, Paris, and Dubai to race back before the deadline. India’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement warning that the sudden fee hike could have "humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families." The policy, they argued, threatened to upend the lives of skilled professionals who had built careers in America, contributing to innovation in Silicon Valley and beyond.

A policy shift with global ripple effects

Trump defended the move as necessary to curb "abuse" of the H-1B program, which he claimed allowed companies to suppress wages and sideline American workers. "We need great workers, and this pretty much ensures that that is what is going to happen," he said. The White House later clarified that the fee would only apply to new applicants, not existing visa holders, but the damage was already done. Tech giants, which rely heavily on H-1B talent, reacted swiftly. Amazon, Microsoft, and Goldman Sachs sent urgent memos advising employees to return immediately. IBM Vice Chairman Gary Cohn called the initial panic "fast and furious" but suggested the confusion had since been resolved. "I think it caused a panic over the weekend because people weren't sure what was going on with the existing H-1B visas," he said. "It's been cleaned up over the weekend, so at this point, there's not a panic in the system." Yet the long-term impact remains unclear. For companies like Amazon, which secured nearly 10,000 H-1B visas in 2025, the new fee could translate to a $1 billion annual cost. Indian IT firms like Tata Consultancy Services, which received over 5,500 visas, could face $550 million in additional expenses. Analysts predict the policy may accelerate offshoring and automation, with firms reserving H-1B slots only for the most critical roles.

A broader crackdown on immigration

The visa fee hike is part of Trump’s wider immigration crackdown, which has included tariffs on Indian goods and restrictions on other forms of legal immigration. Critics argue the move is protectionist, prioritizing American workers at the expense of global talent. Supporters, however, claim it will reduce wage suppression and open more jobs for U.S. citizens. For Indian professionals, the policy feels like a betrayal. Many have spent years building careers in America, only to face sudden financial barriers. "It feels surreal," said a Nvidia engineer who rushed back from Japan with his wife and infant. "Everything is changing in an instant." As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the H-1B visa—a once-reliable bridge for skilled workers—has become another battleground in the global tech and trade wars. And for thousands of Indian families, the cost may be more than just financial. Sources for this article include: RT.com Reuters.com CNN.com
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