By Joy Pillai

Copyright india

Washington DC: In a significant relief for existing H-1B visa holders a senior US Administration official on Friday (local time) told news agency ANI that Indians who are on the visas do not need to rush back to the United States by Sunday. They also don’t have to pay USD100000 to re-enter the country. The officials added that the new US visa rules are applied only to new visa holders.
What Orders Did President Donald Trump Sign?
United States President Donald Trump on Friday signed a new executive order under which USD 100000 annual fee will be imposed on all H-1B visa petitions. This order is expected to impact thousands of Indians who are living in the US making up the largest share of H-1B visa holders in the country.
Why Have Tech Giants Issued Advisory?
Following the announcement of the order major US companies such as Microsoft and Amazon issued advisories to their employees. They directed employees holding H-1B and H-4 visas to return to the US by Sunday stating them to stay in the country for the foreseeable future.
What Is H-1B Visa?
It is a non-immigrant visa under which US-based companies recruit professionals from other countries to work for them. The majority of the people who are hired under this visa are – IT engineering finance healthcare and science. This visa is considered the best route possible for skilled workers from countries such as India and China to work in the US on a temporary basis.
Chaos At US Airports
After the order several Indians who had planned to go to India for Navratri deboarded flights and cancelled their tickets. This erupted chaos at several US airports. Several people who are on H1B visas began panicking after hearing about the new visa fees. Several reports say that the ticket prices have increased as several Indian workers are returning to the United States.
Companies Sent Mails To Employees
In India businesses have recommended that employees located outside the United States return by Saturday as new fee rules will be implemented. An email sent to JPMorgan employees read “H-1B visa holders currently in the US should stay in the country and refrain from international travel until the government provides clear travel guidance.”
On September 21 no new H-1B worker can enter the country unless the employer pays a USD100000 fee.
The Departments of State and Homeland Security have been directed by the authorities to deny any petition that does not include the required fee. This restriction will be in effect for 12 months.