San Francisco: A sudden policy announcement by former President Donald Trump has thrown the global H-1B workforce into chaos, triggering a hurried return of many skilled workers from abroad. The directive, unveiled late Friday, imposes a $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B visa applications, sparking alarm among professionals, especially from India and China, who form a large segment of the U.S. tech sector.
Tech giants, including Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Goldman Sachs, acted swiftly, instructing H-1B employees overseas to return to the U.S. before the fee enforcement at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Sunday. The sudden advisories forced workers to cancel travel plans and make last-minute arrangements, creating chaos at airports.
At San Francisco International Airport, the atmosphere resembled that of emergency evacuations during the early pandemic. Passengers en route to destinations such as Dubai were asking to deplane upon learning about the new fee, fearing restrictions on reentry. Airlines reported delays and minor disruptions as officials and travelers scrambled to clarify travel permissions.
Initial reports suggested the $100,000 fee would be annual, which escalated anxiety among the tech workforce. On Saturday, a White House official clarified that the fee applies only once, for new H-1B applications, and does not impact existing visa holders or those renewing their permits. Despite this clarification, the abrupt nature of the announcement left many employees and companies unsettled.
The new fee forms part of Trump’s wider immigration strategy aimed at prioritizing American workers and reducing dependency on foreign talent. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick framed the policy as essential for protecting U.S. jobs while advancing national security interests. Critics, however, argue that such measures may inadvertently disrupt industries heavily reliant on highly skilled foreign labor.
The policy has major repercussions for countries like India and China, which contribute the majority of H-1B visa holders. India’s tech industry body, Nasscom, expressed concerns that the fee hike could impact global operations and talent mobility, warning of potential “ripple effects” on U.S. innovation and international business. Thousands of professionals and their families are now facing sudden uncertainty about their status, relocation plans, and employment continuity.
While the immediate panic has subsided following White House clarifications, the situation highlights the vulnerability of global talent to sudden policy shifts. Companies and employees are closely monitoring further announcements to assess how the new rules will affect visas, recruitment, and strategic workforce planning. The long-term impact on the U.S. tech sector and international talent mobility remains uncertain, but the episode underscores the tension between national policy objectives and the realities of a globalized workforce.