After H-1B visa fee hike - can employees return to US in 24 hours as demanded by companies? Here's the probability

Employees with H-1B visas have a big relief is sight. The much talked about new $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visas in the United States goes into effect on Sunday, but it will not be applied to existing holders of valid visas re-entering the country, Axios reported on Saturday. The executive order imposing the new fee on H-1B visa applications, which was signed by President Donald Trump Friday night.

The Trump administration said on Friday it would ask companies to pay $100,000 per year for H-1B worker visas, prompting some big tech companies to warn visa holders to stay in the U.S. or quickly return. They advised employees on the H-1B visas who were outside the U.S. to return before midnight on Saturday (0400 GMT on Sunday), when the new fee structures are set to take effect.

No Need To Rush Back to USA


The White House clarified that the fee will not impact current visa holders re-entering the country or those renewing their visas, the Axios report said. The new fee structure will first apply to the upcoming H-1B lottery cycle for new applicants, Axios reported.

The clarification came even as employees were scrambling back to the US. However, some of the flights will take longer than the stipulated deadline to reach the east or west coast of the U.S.

The H-1B program offers 65,000 visas annually to employers bringing in temporary foreign workers in specialized fields, with another 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees. Nearly all the visa fees have to be paid by the employers. The H-1B visas are approved for a period of three to six years. Under the current system, entering the lottery for the visa requires a small fee.

Trump also signed an executive order on Friday to create a "gold card" for individuals who can afford to pay $1 million for U.S. permanent residency.

Panic Grips H-1B Visa Holders

Earlier, Microsoft, JPMorgan and Amazon responded to the announcement by advising employees holding H-1B visas to remain in the United States. They advised employees on the H-1B visas who were outside the U.S. to return before midnight on Saturday (0400 GMT on Sunday), when the new fee structures are set to take effect.

In the US, authorities are deporting anyone suspected as an illegal immigrant, sometimes to unknown destinations. For professionals, visa norms are being tightened. Last year, the UK also introduced a set of reforms, constricting asylum and settlement rules. Longer qualifying periods were introduced for ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’, and tighter ‘Skilled Worker’ occupation rules to raise effective costs for sponsors.

While tens of thousands of Indian engineers and techies were part of the growth of Silicon Valley in the US, skilled medical practitioners formed the backbone of the health infrastructure in the UK.

Meanwhile, Canada has stepped up integrity checks for student and temporary worker routes. It has also raised scrutiny on education‑sector participants, tightened post‑study work conditions in some streams, and increased application fees and biometrics charges in recent updates.

Germany has increased land border patrols, and the European Union’s 2024 Migration Pact introduces tougher external controls.

Among other countries, Australia rebalanced temporary skilled migration settings with higher sponsorship and visa fees, stricter labour market testing in some streams, and tighter rules for some student and graduate post‑study work pathways.

New Zealand, too, has tightened work and student visa rules and increased fees while introducing stricter labour checks and targeted pathways for critical skills.

Some Gulf states have introduced fee and entry‑permit adjustments as they expand e‑visa systems and tourist or business access while tightening some work‑permit rules for specific sectors.

FAQs

Q1. What is Gold Card Visa Program?
A1. U.S. President Donald Trump also signed an executive order on Friday to create a "gold card" for individuals who can afford to pay $1 million for U.S. permanent residency.

Q2. What have Microsoft, JPMorgan, Amazon announced?
A2. Microsoft, JPMorgan and Amazon responded to the announcement by advising employees holding H-1B visas to remain in the United States. They advised employees on the H-1B visas who were outside the U.S. to return before midnight on Saturday (0400 GMT on Sunday), when the new fee structures are set to take effect.