New Delhi: Washington woke as much as a jolt on Sunday. At 12:01 a.m. ET, US President Donald Trump’s proclamation on H-1B visas roared into impact, slapping a staggering $100,000 price on recent candidates. Signed on Friday, the order shook the immigrant tech world. Telephones buzzed throughout Indian and American cities. Panic unfold. Airways noticed sudden cancellations. Households referred to as attorneys.
“This is applicable solely to new visas, not renewals and never present visa holders,” White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt introduced in a put up on X (previously Twitter).
She emphasised the purpose once more, “Those that already maintain H-1B visas and are at the moment exterior of the nation proper now will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter.”
Panic In The Indian H-1B Group
The message got here late. In New Delhi and Bengaluru, employees debated midnight flights. WhatsApp teams full of fearful questions. Many scrambled to rebook tickets to America, determined to land earlier than the clock turned September 21.
“H-1B visa holders who’re out of the USA on enterprise or trip will get stranded until they get in earlier than midnight on September 21. H-1Bs nonetheless in India could have already missed the deadline, as there is no such thing as a means a direct flight from India will get in time,” warned New York-based immigration lawyer Cyrus Mehta on X.
His phrases stung like an alarm bell.
USCIS Steps In With An Emergency Information
By morning, the USA Citizenship and Immigration Companies (USCIS) stepped in with a memo to chill nerves. The company drew a line round who will get spared from the $100,000 blow.
In accordance with the USCIS:
- Petitions filed earlier than September 21 stay untouched.
- Authorised petitions stand secure.
- Anybody already holding a legitimate H-1B visa can journey freely out and in of the USA with out paying the brand new cost.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow ordered officers to strictly comply with this steerage. “Present visa holders’ journey rights stay unaffected,” his memo burdened.
The Greater Image
The H-1B programme stays some of the coveted work permits on the planet. The USA points 65,000 visas every year, plus 20,000 extra for these with American grasp’s or larger levels. Present charges already stretch from $2,000 to $5,000 relying on the employer.
Although non permanent for one yr, the brand new $100,000 price could possibly be prolonged if Trump labels it within the nationwide curiosity. And that chance is precisely what has Indian tech employees on edge.