US H-1B Visa Fee Hike Forces Employees to Return
The United States has announced a steep increase in H-1B visa fees, with each application now costing $100,000 (approximately ₹88 lakh). President Donald Trump signed the new rule at the White House on September 19, and it will take effect on September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT. The fee hike also applies to H-4 dependent visas.
Major tech and financial companies, including Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and JP Morgan, have urgently advised their foreign employees to return to the U.S. in light of the new rules.
Tech Companies Issue Immediate Alerts
Microsoft and Meta were among the first to notify staff. Microsoft instructed employees holding H-1B and H-4 visas to return to the U.S. by September 21, according to an internal email reported by Reuters. Similarly, Meta advised employees to avoid international travel. Amazon told overseas staff to return by midnight EDT on September 21, while JP Morgan asked foreign-assignment employees to remain in the U.S.
Indian Travel Disruptions
The sudden policy change alarmed Indian travelers. Several passengers on flights from San Francisco to India requested to deboard due to concerns about re-entry under the new rules. A similar situation occurred on a flight from Dubai to the U.S.
Airfares also surged sharply. One-way tickets from Delhi to New York, which previously cost around ₹37,000, now range between ₹70,000 and ₹80,000. Many Indian IT professionals traveling for vacations or festivals are now stranded.
Rising Costs for Workers and Employers
The new fees make H-1B visas nearly unaffordable. A three-year visa, previously costing about ₹5 lakh, now totals nearly ₹5.28 crore for a six-year stay—over 50 times higher than before. Indians represent roughly 72% of the 85,000 H-1B visas issued annually, affecting an estimated 300,000 workers.
Companies sponsoring H-1B visas include Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Cognizant, and HCL. Analysts predict a potential talent shift to countries like Canada, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East due to the steep increase. U.S. businesses relying on foreign IT talent face significant financial pressure and are considering adjustments to recruitment strategies or absorbing the added costs.
Advice for Visa Holders
Experts recommend that H-1B and H-4 visa holders abroad contact their company’s HR department immediately and return to the U.S. before the September 21 deadline. Failure to do so may prevent re-entry under the new fee structure. The Departments of State and Homeland Security are expected to enforce the rule strictly for at least the next 12 months.
