US President Donald Trump’s surprise move to hike the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 (Rs 88 lakh) and enforce a tight September 21 deadline caused chaos at US airports on Saturday. Several Indian techies reportedly deboarded flights immediately after the announcement. This period also sees many Indians in the US returning home for Durga Puja.
Moreover, Indians stranded in India reportedly saw direct flight prices to the US jump sharply, as airlines capitalised on the chaos sparked by Trump. The move hits them hard, since they make up around 70% of all H-1B visa holders.
The rules stated that H-1B visa holders must enter the US before 12.01 am EDT (9.31 am IST) on September 21; after that, they will only be allowed entry if the sponsoring employer pays the $100,000 fee.
A one-way ticket from New Delhi to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York reportedly shot up to Rs 70,000-80,000 from about Rs 37,000 just two hours after Trump’s announcement.
“Flights from New Delhi to NYC are currently $4,500. They are all rushing back to the states because they are worried about the new H-1B visa rules,” one user tweeted.
The impact among H-1B visa holders was also evident at US airports, with many flying out of the US deboarding from flight.
Chaos in Emirates flight at SFO Airport. Delayed by 3 hours after many Indian H1B holders bound for India disembarked from the plane after hearing the news of $100K fees for H1B.
— Drunk Journalist (@drunkJournalist) September 20, 2025
Many Indian passengers apparently left the aircraft after receiving calls from their employers not… pic.twitter.com/kZJG642RDz
Kaustav Majumdar, a Chartered accountant, said the same thing happened on an international flight full of Indians returning home for Durga Puja.
“Extremely sad situation… An international flight packed with Indians from Bay Area had completed boarding and was due to leave SFO Airport. When the news about H-1 B visa new rules just broke out, Indians aboard panicked and pleaded to get off the plane,” he wrote on X.
Another social media user, Masud Rana, described the chaos at the San Francisco airport. “It was complete chaos for Emirates passengers at San Francisco airport. President Trump signed an order affecting both new and existing H-1B visa holders, creating panic among many – particularly Indian passengers – who even chose to leave the aircraft,” Rana posted.
Another passenger shared what happened on a flight from Dubai to Mumbai. He said at least 10–15 people got off the plane within 20 minutes after hearing about the September 21 H-1B deadline, worried about returning to the US.
ALSO READ: $100,000 H-1B visa fee one-time payment for new applicants only, not renewals, clarifies White House
