US imposes $100,000 one-time H-1B visa fee for new applicants. Indian IT professionals and families face confusion and travel disruptions despite clarifications from the White House and USCIS.

The White House clarified that the newly announced $100,000 H-1B visa fee applies only to first-time applicants, easing fears for existing visa holders. This follows widespread panic among Indian tech professionals after President Trump’s executive order raised the fee for new H-1B visas.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed that current visa holders and renewals are unaffected, and the fee is not annual, but a one-time charge for new petitions starting from September 21. USCIS also confirmed that previously filed petitions and valid visa holders are safe.

Despite these clarifications, the announcement caused confusion and disrupted travel plans. Many H-1B holders in the US canceled trips to India, while those already abroad rushed to return amid fears of being stranded. Indian IT firms, including Amazon, TCS, Microsoft, and Google, depend heavily on H-1B workers, and the move threatens their global operations.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) flagged potential humanitarian impacts, warning that families could face undue hardships due to sudden policy changes. Industry experts have criticized the lack of consultation and clarity before implementing such sweeping measures, emphasizing the need for the government to safeguard the interests of Indian professionals working abroad.

The $100,000 fee has sparked debates about the H-1B programme’s purpose, originally intended for high-skilled roles but increasingly seen as a tool for cheap labor, raising concerns about fairness and transparency.