In a shocking move that has left the Indian tech community reeling, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sudden hike in H-1B visa fees — pushing the cost to an unprecedented $100,000. What rattled visa holders even more was the barely 48-hour notice period, forcing many to scramble for immediate travel plans.
Chaos at Indian Airports
Within hours of the announcement, major airports across India descended into chaos. Tech professionals, students, and families with pending U.S. plans rushed to secure last-minute tickets. Airfares on the Delhi–New York route doubled in just a few hours, with economy seats being sold at premium business-class rates.
Some passengers reportedly disembarked mid-boarding after learning about the deadline and potential financial consequences of not making it in time. “It was complete chaos,” shared one traveler in a social media post that quickly went viral.
Corporate Panic
The sudden policy shift also caught U.S. tech giants off-guard. Companies like Meta, Amazon, and Google reportedly advised their employees on H-1B visas to either fly back immediately or stay put until further clarity emerged. Internal memos urged workers to avoid unnecessary risks amid the confusion.
The Human Side of Policy Shocks
The abrupt visa fee hike highlights the precarious situation of thousands of skilled workers who depend on H-1B visas. For many, the U.S. is not just a workplace but a second home. The rushed decisions, soaring ticket prices, and uncertainty have added emotional stress to financial strain.
What Comes Next?
Experts believe the move could discourage Indian professionals from pursuing U.S. opportunities in the short term, while also straining India-U.S. tech relations. Airlines, meanwhile, are expected to keep fares elevated as demand remains unusually high.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: a single policy change — with little warning — can ripple across borders, industries, and lives in an instant.