By Analiza Pathak

Copyright india

US President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to raise the H-1B visa fee to $100000 (around Rs. 88 lakh) with a short deadline of September 21 has caused panic at US airports. Reports say many Indian tech workers on flights immediately returned or rushed back as soon as the announcement was made. This comes at a time when many Indians are returning home for Durga Puja which starts next week.
Those stuck in India also faced skyrocketing airfares for direct flights to the US as airlines took advantage of the sudden rush. Since Indians make up about 70 per cent of all H-1B visa holders this move affects them the most.
The rules are clear: H-1B workers must enter the US before 12:01 am EDT (9:31 am IST) on September 21. After that no one will be allowed in unless their employer pays the new USD 100000 fee.
Tech Giants Warn H-1B Workers: Don’t Leave the US
Top companies like Amazon Microsoft and JP Morgan have told their employees with H-1B visas not to travel abroad. Those who are already outside the United States have been advised to return immediately.
However many H-1B workers who were on vacation or business trips to India have already missed the deadline. H-1B visa holders out of the US for work or vacation will get stranded unless they arrive before midnight on September 21 said Cyrus Mehta a US immigration lawyer. Many in India may have already missed the deadline as no direct flight can reach the US in time.
The announcement caused a sudden spike in airfare. A one-way ticket from New Delhi to New York (JFK) jumped to Rs. 70000–80000 up from around Rs. 37000 within just two hours.
Flights from New Delhi to NYC are now USD 4500. Everyone is rushing back because they are worried about the new H-1B rules a user tweeted.