Saturday, March 29, 2025
Washington, Sept 20, 2025 — The United States government has clarified that Indian professionals on H1B visas do not need to return immediately, following President Donald Trump’s sudden announcement on raising fees for the visa program.
A senior US official told Hindustan Times that Indian workers will not be forced to leave by Sunday nor required to pay $100,000 to re-enter the country. Instead, the new fee will only apply to fresh H1B visa applications, not renewals.
On Friday, President Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual fee on American companies employing H1B workers, citing abuse of the program and risks to national security.
The move triggered panic across the tech sector, particularly among Indian professionals who make up nearly 70% of H1B visa holders. Many feared they would be forced to leave or face enormous costs to continue working in the US.
Several top firms including Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and JPMorgan issued urgent advisories to employees. Microsoft, in an email, strongly recommended that H1B and H4 visa holders return to the US before 12:01 AM EDT on September 21. Similar notices were issued by Amazon, Meta, and JPMorgan, warning staff abroad to come back before the deadline.
The clarification from the US government comes as a major relief for tens of thousands of Indian tech workers and their families. By limiting the steep new fee to future applicants only, the administration avoided immediate disruption for those already living and working in the United States.
While the policy still represents a significant financial burden on companies hiring foreign talent, it buys time for existing employees. However, experts caution that the move signals a tougher immigration stance under the Trump administration, which could reshape the future of the H1B program.
