VOI World/ Desk
Indian professionals and their U.S. employer-companies are being urgently advised to return to the United States immediately, if currently abroad, following a new executive order that imposes a US$100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions for many foreign workers in “specialty occupations.”
Immigration attorneys warn that H-1B visa holders outside the U.S. after the deadline risk being denied re-entry and possibly stranded abroad. Companies like Microsoft, Amazon and JPMorgan have issued internal notices advising affected employees and their H-4 dependents to either stay in the U.S. or re-enter before the deadline.
This change hits Indian tech workers especially hard: India supplies a large share of H-1B visa holders in the United States. Many are now scrambling to adjust travel plans and professional assignments to avoid interruption. Experts say the rule could disrupt operations for firms relying heavily on outsourced tech talent and remote teams.
Immigration attorneys have also noted the challenges posed by time zones, flight schedules, and entry processing fees — meaning those in India or other distant locations may find it nearly impossible to beat the deadline. Though the proclamation does not explicitly subject H-4 dependents (spouses and children) to new fees, companies encourage caution and are warning them not to travel either, as interpretations may vary.
For many Indian professionals, this policy is a sudden, high-stakes test of mobility, logistics, and legal compliance – a reminder of how quickly global immigration policies can shift and the ripple effects those shifts can create.
