The Trump administration has suspended Microsoft from a US programme that allows companies to seek green cards for foreign workers employed in the country on H-1B visas.&nbsp;Vice President JD Vance and US Labour Department officials announced the action on Thursday, accusing Microsoft and other major technology and outsourcing companies of abusing the H-1B visa system at the expense of American workers.&nbsp;The administration said the suspension followed an ongoing investigation into the company's use of the visa system. Vance said the government had decided to suspend Microsoft's participation in the PERM programme, which is a key step for employers seeking permanent residency for foreign workers.&nbsp;"Thanks to an ongoing investigation, we have decided to suspend the PERM program for Microsoft, which means they will no longer be able to take those H1-Bs and apply for permanent resident status within the United States of America," Vance said in a post on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Vice President JD Vance announces the suspension of the PERM Program for Microsoft:

&quot;Thanks to an ongoing investigation, we have decided to suspend the PERM program for Microsoft, which means they will no longer be able to take those H-1Bs and apply for permanent resident status within the United States of America. Now our message to Microsoft and to any other foreign or domestic corporation is quite simple. We obviously want you to thrive in the United States of America. We want people to invest in the United States of America, particularly the American technology sector. We’re the biggest boosters of your industry. We want you to continue to grow and to employ a lot of people, but we want you to employ American workers. And so our message to Microsoft is, you’re great American company, but you’ve got to hire great American workers. You cannot lay off American workers and then replace them with foreign indentured servants.&quot;&mdash; Vice President JD Vance (@VP) <a href="https://x.com/VP/status/2108215063702036519?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The vice president also accused Microsoft of using foreign workers in a way that undercut US wages and displaced American employees.&nbsp;"There has been no company in the United States, unfortunately, that has abused the system more than Microsoft," Vance said at a White House news conference.&nbsp;He claimed Microsoft laid off 6,000 American workers last year while benefiting from 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards.&nbsp;"For every worker that Microsoft laid off, they replaced that worker with 1½ foreign indentured servants," Vance said.&nbsp;Microsoft had not immediately responded to requests for comment.<h3>Other IT companies also targeted</h3>US Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling said Microsoft was not the only company facing action.&nbsp;The administration also announced the suspension of several other companies from the programme, including Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini and Adobe.&nbsp;The move expands the administration's scrutiny of companies that rely heavily on foreign workers and comes as the Trump administration continues its wider push to tighten the H-1B visa system.<h3>Universities also under investigation</h3>The Labour Department also announced investigations into nine universities over allegations involving international students and US wages. The institutions include Harvard, Yale and Stanford.&nbsp;Labour Department Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito said subpoenas had already been served as part of the investigations.&nbsp;The administration has increasingly focused on alleged misuse of programmes involving foreign workers and international students, arguing that such practices can affect employment opportunities and wages for American workers.

Trump administration has suspended Microsoft and several other major technology companies from the US green card programme for H-1B workers, accusing them of abusing the visa system and disadvantaging American workers.

The Trump administration has suspended Microsoft from a US programme that allows companies to seek green cards for foreign workers employed in the country on H-1B visas. Vice President JD Vance and US Labour Department officials announced the action on Thursday, accusing Microsoft and other major technology and outsourcing companies of abusing the H-1B visa system at the expense of American workers. The administration said the suspension followed an ongoing investigation into the company's use of the visa system. Vance said the government had decided to suspend Microsoft's participation in the PERM programme, which is a key step for employers seeking permanent residency for foreign workers. "Thanks to an ongoing investigation, we have decided to suspend the PERM program for Microsoft, which means they will no longer be able to take those H1-Bs and apply for permanent resident status within the United States of America," Vance said in a post on X.

Trump administration has suspended Microsoft and several other major technology companies from the US green card programme for H-1B workers, accusing them of abusing the visa system and disadvantaging American workers.

US suspends Microsoft, Infosys, Tata, Wipro from green card programme over alleged H-1B abuse

For decades, America has marketed itself as the land of opportunity—a destination where the world's brightest students and skilled professionals could study, work and build their futures. But under President Donald Trump, that promise is facing a major rethink. The Trump administration has proposed a $103,265 fee for new H-1B petitions, a dramatic jump from the fees historically charged for the programme. The proposal is still subject to the rule-making process and legal challenges.&nbsp;Washington says the objective is to protect American workers and prevent companies from using foreign labour to undercut domestic wages. But the policy could have consequences far beyond America's borders. India stands at the centre of this debate. Indian professionals accounted for about 71 percent of approved H-1B beneficiaries in FY2024, making them by far the largest group using the programme.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/india-china-border-talks-nsa-doval-wang-yi-hold-talks-in-beijing-1787659831107">India-China border talks: NSA Doval, Wang Yi hold talks in Beijing</a>&nbsp;Add stricter vetting, increased scrutiny of applicants and uncertainty surrounding the broader student-to-work pipeline, and America's message to global talent is becoming increasingly complicated. For technology companies, the equation is changing too. If hiring foreign specialists in America becomes prohibitively expensive, companies can shift jobs overseas, expand their operations in countries such as India, or simply hire locally.That raises the bigger question: is America risking its position in the global race for talent?&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anil-chauhan-china-intelligence-pakistan-operation-sindoor-1787742439190">China’s real-time intelligence support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor cannot be established: Former CDS Anil Chauhan</a>&nbsp;Trump is betting that putting American workers first will strengthen the domestic economy—and politically, that message resonates with voters who believe immigration has taken jobs away from Americans. But protectionism has a price. America has every right to enforce its immigration laws and protect its workforce. But it must also recognise that global talent has choices. If America becomes too expensive, too uncertain and too difficult, the world's brightest minds may simply stop choosing America.<h2>The Verdict?</h2>Protect American workers, Mr Trump. But don't protect them so aggressively that you push American innovation out the door.

President Donald Trump's proposed $103,265 H-1B visa fee threatens to disrupt the pipeline for foreign skilled talent 71% of which comes from India raising concerns that strict protectionism could drive tech jobs and global innovation away from the United States.

For decades, America has marketed itself as the land of opportunity—a destination where the world's brightest students and skilled professionals could study, work and build their futures. But under President Donald Trump, that promise is facing a major rethink. The Trump administration has proposed a $103,265 fee for new H-1B petitions, a dramatic jump from the fees historically charged for the programme. The proposal is still subject to the rule-making process and legal challenges. Washington says the objective is to protect American workers and prevent companies from using foreign labour to undercut domestic wages. But the policy could have consequences far beyond America's borders. India stands at the centre of this debate. Indian professionals accounted for about 71 percent of approved H-1B beneficiaries in FY2024, making them by far the largest group using the programme. Also read: India-China border talks: NSA Doval, Wang Yi hold talks in Beijing Add stricter vetting, increased scrutiny of applicants and uncertainty surrounding the broader student-to-work pipeline, and America's message to global talent is becoming increasingly complicated. For technology companies, the equation is changing too. If hiring foreign specialists in America becomes prohibitively expensive, companies can shift jobs overseas, expand their operations in countries such as India, or simply hire locally. That raises the bigger question: is America risking its position in the global race for talent? Also read: China’s real-time intelligence support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor cannot be established: Former CDS Anil Chauhan Trump is betting that putting American workers first will strengthen the domestic economy—and politically, that message resonates with voters who believe immigration has taken jobs away from Americans. But protectionism has a price. America has every right to enforce its immigration laws and protect its workforce. But it must also recognise that global talent has choices. If America becomes too expensive, too uncertain and too difficult, the world's brightest minds may simply stop choosing America. The Verdict? Protect American workers, Mr Trump. But don't protect them so aggressively that you push American innovation out the door.

President Donald Trump's proposed $103,265 H-1B visa fee threatens to disrupt the pipeline for foreign skilled talent 71% of which comes from India raising concerns that strict protectionism could drive tech jobs and global innovation away from the United States.

The Verdict | H-1B visa crackdown: Is America still worth it?

Elon Musk said that shutting down the H1-B programme will be detrimental to America's technological advancement and that the US has benefited immensely from Indian talent. Speaking on the "WTF is" podcast hosted by online trading platform Zerodha's co-founder Nikhil Kamat. The Billionaire also defended President Donald Trump's anti immigration stance, saying that the policy stems from the "misuse" of H1-B visas. “Yes, I think America has benefitted immensely from talented Indians who have come to America, Musk said in reply to Kamath's assertion that the US for decades attracted "really smart people" from around the world. However, it has become anti immigration to a certain extent in the recent past. &nbsp;&nbsp;The Tesla CEO also dismissed demands of conservative groups calling for quashing the H1-B system completely, “I’m not in the school of thought that we should shut down the H-1B Program… that would actually be very bad, ”he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/america-lacks-workers-for-tough-jobs-says-elon-musk-amid-h1b-visa-row-1763395508112">America lacks workers for tough jobs, says Elon Musk amid H1B visa row</a>&nbsp;These remarks come amid the ongoing crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration, the US &nbsp;President imposed stricter conditions on the H1B visa programme, making it difficult for job seekers to enter the United States. Beginning September 1, US employers seeking to hire foreign professionals in specialised occupations have to pay $1 lakh supplemental fee for new workers.&nbsp;Commenting on the concerns of some Americans about Immigrants taking their jobs, the Tesla CEO said, “I don't know how real that is. My direct observation is that there's always a scarcity of talented people. So you know, from my standpoint, I'm like we have a lot of difficulty finding enough talented people to get these difficult tasks done, and so more talented people would be good.”<h2>You are not a country without borders</h2>The tech mogul, however, sharply criticised the Joe Biden administration for border polices, saying they lacked control and had a free-for-all approach to border controls.&nbsp;"Under the Biden administration, it was basically a total free-for-all with no border controls. You know, unless you've got border controls, you're not a country. So, you had massive amounts of illegal immigration under Biden".&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vodka-with-patriotic-flavour-trump-family-unveils-new-liquor-brand-while-us-president-says-he-doesn-t-drink-eric-trump-alchol-brand-trump-faimly-1764413091614">Vodka with patriotic flavour: Trump family unveils new liquor brand while US president says he doesn’t drink</a>&nbsp;"It actually had somewhat of a negative selection effect. So if there's a massive financial incentive to come to the US illegally and get all these government benefits, then you are going to necessarily create a diffusion gradient for people to come to the US. It's an incentive structure. And that obviously made no sense. Like, you got to have border controls. It's kind of ridiculous not to," the X owner added. &nbsp;

 Musk said that America has benefited immensely from Indian talent, adding that scrapping the H-1B scheme completely would be “very bad.”

Elon Musk said that shutting down the H1-B programme will be detrimental to America's technological advancement and that the US has benefited immensely from Indian talent. Speaking on the "WTF is" podcast hosted by online trading platform Zerodha's co-founder Nikhil Kamat. The Billionaire also defended President Donald Trump's anti immigration stance, saying that the policy stems from the "misuse" of H1-B visas. “Yes, I think America has benefitted immensely from talented Indians who have come to America, Musk said in reply to Kamath's assertion that the US for decades attracted "really smart people" from around the world. However, it has become anti immigration to a certain extent in the recent past. The Tesla CEO also dismissed demands of conservative groups calling for quashing the H1-B system completely, “I’m not in the school of thought that we should shut down the H-1B Program… that would actually be very bad, ”he said. Also Read: America lacks workers for tough jobs, says Elon Musk amid H1B visa row These remarks come amid the ongoing crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration, the US President imposed stricter conditions on the H1B visa programme, making it difficult for job seekers to enter the United States. Beginning September 1, US employers seeking to hire foreign professionals in specialised occupations have to pay $1 lakh supplemental fee for new workers. Commenting on the concerns of some Americans about Immigrants taking their jobs, the Tesla CEO said, “I don't know how real that is. My direct observation is that there's always a scarcity of talented people. So you know, from my standpoint, I'm like we have a lot of difficulty finding enough talented people to get these difficult tasks done, and so more talented people would be good.” You are not a country without borders The tech mogul, however, sharply criticised the Joe Biden administration for border polices, saying they lacked control and had a free-for-all approach to border controls. "Under the Biden administration, it was basically a total free-for-all with no border controls. You know, unless you've got border controls, you're not a country. So, you had massive amounts of illegal immigration under Biden". Also Read: Vodka with patriotic flavour: Trump family unveils new liquor brand while US president says he doesn’t drink "It actually had somewhat of a negative selection effect. So if there's a massive financial incentive to come to the US illegally and get all these government benefits, then you are going to necessarily create a diffusion gradient for people to come to the US. It's an incentive structure. And that obviously made no sense. Like, you got to have border controls. It's kind of ridiculous not to," the X owner added.

&nbsp;Musk said that America has benefited immensely from Indian talent, adding that scrapping the H-1B scheme completely would be “very bad.”

Should US end H-1B programme? Know what Elon Musk thinks about Indian immigrants

The Trump administration has acted on its threat to target high-skill visas as part of recent punishments of India in the ongoing trade war, with a decision to impose a staggering $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications. While it disproportionately hits Indian professionals, who constitute over 70 per cent of H-1B visa holders, this unjustifiable hike would be a financial burden on both the Indian tech firms that pay for these visas, and roil the lives of thousands who went chasing the “American Dream”. But it's time to stop this exploitation, to turn this setback into a &nbsp;historic opportunity for Indian talent abroad to reclaim dignity, pride, and purpose by returning home. If Indians return in large numbers, it could usher in the dawn of a reverse brain drain era. Indian leaders have already made a clarion call, inviting Indians on H-1B visas to return and lead the next wave of innovation from India.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-america-strong-because-of-h1b-to-broken-program-musk-s-flip-flop-on-us-visa-program-resurfaces-on-x-1758452671777">From ‘America strong because of H1B’ to ‘broken program’: Musk’s flip-flop on US visas resurfaces</a><h2>H-1B visa fee hike: Turn this challenge into opportunity, say industry leaders and experts</h2>For decades, Indian IT professionals have powered the American tech ecosystem, often navigating uncertainty, cultural alienation, racism and an exploitative visa system. It is time to stop living in fear, &nbsp;but to embrace the chance to build world-class companies in India.Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho Corporation, is among tech leaders calling this a time to “not live in fear”. He encouraged Indian skilled professionals in the US to view the fee hike move as a chance to contribute to India’s growth without compromising dignity. Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Asset Management, said that when one door closes abroad, it opens new pathways to meaningful work and pride in India’s booming economy.Dilip Kumar from Rainmatter said: “America just put a $100,000 price tag on the Indian dream. Never been a better time than now for Indian engineers to build at home… Come back home. Time to build for India and from India.”&nbsp;Returning home might be a reboot to a new life, one without uncertainty clouding one’s best work, and filled with dignity rather than outsider status.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-s-100-000-h-1-b-visa-fee-what-it-means-and-what-it-doesn-t-explained-1758415588544">Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1 B visa fee: What it means and what it doesn’t</a><h2>H-1B visa fee hike: Assessing the economic impact amid industry shifts</h2>The fee hike is more than an individual hurdle, but it would impact entire industries. India’s IT sector, which clocked in some $250 billion in exports, is facing an added immigration cost estimated between $150 million and $550 million due to the fee increase. This financial strain is pushing companies to explore alternative visa strategies, like the L-1 visa (that applies to transfers), or to entirely rethink offshore talent deployment.Recent surveys revealed that nearly half of Indian H-1B holders are considering returning to India amid growing job market uncertainties and deportation fears in the US. The Indian government recognises the humanitarian consequences of the policy, including family disruptions, and is actively encouraging professionals to return and contribute to nation-building.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-afraid-of-our-talent-says-piyush-goyal-after-us-h-1b-visa-fee-hike-urges-indians-to-return-innovate-in-india-1758458036830">‘Afraid of our talent,’ says Piyush Goyal after US H-1B visa fee hike, urges Indians to return, innovate in India</a><h2>Indians on H1-B can help India's emergence as a global innovation hub</h2>Outsourcing of IT work was what once built India's robust tech industry. But today, India is far from the outsourcing hub it was decades ago. Amid Indian government initiatives like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), robust digital infrastructure, and a youthful entrepreneurial spirit, cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune have become global tech hubs.Narayan Kulkarni, a digital transformation leader, called this moment a “Reverse Brain Drain”. He asked: “Is this the end of the Indian dream abroad—or the start of India’s greatest tech era at home?”&nbsp;The X handle, Crypto Fundamentalist, echoed this sentiment: “This isn’t 'brain drain'… it’s reverse… Time to build at home.”There is already hope that the influx of returning talent is projected to boost India’s startups, Artificial Intelligence labs, and technology ecosystems. Together, these could potentially generate $50 billion in economic gains by fueling local innovation, job creation, and wealth generation.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasscom-on-h1b-visa-fee-hike-us-will-feel-a-ripple-effect-1758368126063/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasscom-on-h1b-visa-fee-hike-us-will-feel-a-ripple-effect-1758368126063/embed</a><h2>Indians on H1-B visas should return: A call for dignity, pride and progress</h2>This moment is a collective call to action — not in anger but through purposeful choice. By returning, Indian professionals can turn a policy designed to exclude them into a catalyst for national empowerment.&nbsp;CA Hrishikesh Naik said that building in India is “the smarter move,” leveraging a maturing ecosystem over costly and uncertain US pathways.Echoing this sentiment, marketing professional Tee said: “The US just made the Indian dream $100k more expensive… India is the smarter launchpad—cheaper, faster, and full of opportunity.”Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-do-not-live-in-fear-make-the-bold-move-zoho-founder-urges-indians-on-h1b-visas-to-return-home-1758464534936">‘Do not live in fear. Make the bold move’: Zoho founder urges Indians on H1B visas to return home</a><h2>Indians on H1-B visas, the time to return is NOW</h2>This is not to dismiss the disruptions in personal, professional and family lives of Indians who would be weighing their options. Many of them started families in the US, hoping to stay there and transition into permanent residents and citizens there. But the tide is shifting.&nbsp;Indians on H-1B visas, this is your moment to turn uncertainty into opportunity. The visa fee hike starkly revealed the limits of dependence on foreign systems and underscores the value of self-reliance. As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi put it, the greatest enemy is our dependence on foreign countries.Returning to India is more than a relocation; it is a profound assertion of dignity, pride, and national commitment. It’s a chance to build companies that reflect Indian values, solve local and global problems, and lead the world’s next wave of innovation, from India, for the world.Come back home.&nbsp;Not as a retreat, but as a march forward toward making India greater than ever before. &nbsp;

The $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike by the US is a pivotal moment for Indian skilled professionals. The choice is between staying in US under humiliation, or return home with pride, fueling India’s innovation, startups, and economy through a historic reverse brain drain.



The Trump administration has acted on its threat to target high-skill visas as part of recent punishments of India in the ongoing trade war, with a decision to impose a staggering $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications. While it disproportionately hits Indian professionals, who constitute over 70 per cent of H-1B visa holders, this unjustifiable hike would be a financial burden on both the Indian tech firms that pay for these visas, and roil the lives of thousands who went chasing the “American Dream”. But it's time to stop this exploitation, to turn this setback into a historic opportunity for Indian talent abroad to reclaim dignity, pride, and purpose by returning home. If Indians return in large numbers, it could usher in the dawn of a reverse brain drain era. Indian leaders have already made a clarion call, inviting Indians on H-1B visas to return and lead the next wave of innovation from India. Also read: From ‘America strong because of H1B’ to ‘broken program’: Musk’s flip-flop on US visas resurfaces H-1B visa fee hike: Turn this challenge into opportunity, say industry leaders and experts For decades, Indian IT professionals have powered the American tech ecosystem, often navigating uncertainty, cultural alienation, racism and an exploitative visa system. It is time to stop living in fear, but to embrace the chance to build world-class companies in India. Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho Corporation, is among tech leaders calling this a time to “not live in fear”. He encouraged Indian skilled professionals in the US to view the fee hike move as a chance to contribute to India’s growth without compromising dignity. Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Asset Management, said that when one door closes abroad, it opens new pathways to meaningful work and pride in India’s booming economy. Dilip Kumar from Rainmatter said: “America just put a $100,000 price tag on the Indian dream. Never been a better time than now for Indian engineers to build at home… Come back home. Time to build for India and from India.” Returning home might be a reboot to a new life, one without uncertainty clouding one’s best work, and filled with dignity rather than outsider status. Also read: Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1 B visa fee: What it means and what it doesn’t H-1B visa fee hike: Assessing the economic impact amid industry shifts The fee hike is more than an individual hurdle, but it would impact entire industries. India’s IT sector, which clocked in some $250 billion in exports, is facing an added immigration cost estimated between $150 million and $550 million due to the fee increase. This financial strain is pushing companies to explore alternative visa strategies, like the L-1 visa (that applies to transfers), or to entirely rethink offshore talent deployment. Recent surveys revealed that nearly half of Indian H-1B holders are considering returning to India amid growing job market uncertainties and deportation fears in the US. The Indian government recognises the humanitarian consequences of the policy, including family disruptions, and is actively encouraging professionals to return and contribute to nation-building. Also read: ‘Afraid of our talent,’ says Piyush Goyal after US H-1B visa fee hike, urges Indians to return, innovate in India Indians on H1-B can help India's emergence as a global innovation hub Outsourcing of IT work was what once built India's robust tech industry. But today, India is far from the outsourcing hub it was decades ago. Amid Indian government initiatives like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), robust digital infrastructure, and a youthful entrepreneurial spirit, cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune have become global tech hubs. Narayan Kulkarni, a digital transformation leader, called this moment a “Reverse Brain Drain”. He asked: “Is this the end of the Indian dream abroad—or the start of India’s greatest tech era at home?” The X handle, Crypto Fundamentalist, echoed this sentiment: “This isn’t 'brain drain'… it’s reverse… Time to build at home.” There is already hope that the influx of returning talent is projected to boost India’s startups, Artificial Intelligence labs, and technology ecosystems. Together, these could potentially generate $50 billion in economic gains by fueling local innovation, job creation, and wealth generation. https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasscom-on-h1b-visa-fee-hike-us-will-feel-a-ripple-effect-1758368126063/embed Indians on H1-B visas should return: A call for dignity, pride and progress This moment is a collective call to action — not in anger but through purposeful choice. By returning, Indian professionals can turn a policy designed to exclude them into a catalyst for national empowerment. CA Hrishikesh Naik said that building in India is “the smarter move,” leveraging a maturing ecosystem over costly and uncertain US pathways. Echoing this sentiment, marketing professional Tee said: “The US just made the Indian dream $100k more expensive… India is the smarter launchpad—cheaper, faster, and full of opportunity.” Also read: ‘Do not live in fear. Make the bold move’: Zoho founder urges Indians on H1B visas to return home Indians on H1-B visas, the time to return is NOW This is not to dismiss the disruptions in personal, professional and family lives of Indians who would be weighing their options. Many of them started families in the US, hoping to stay there and transition into permanent residents and citizens there. But the tide is shifting. Indians on H-1B visas, this is your moment to turn uncertainty into opportunity. The visa fee hike starkly revealed the limits of dependence on foreign systems and underscores the value of self-reliance. As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi put it, the greatest enemy is our dependence on foreign countries. Returning to India is more than a relocation; it is a profound assertion of dignity, pride, and national commitment. It’s a chance to build companies that reflect Indian values, solve local and global problems, and lead the world’s next wave of innovation, from India, for the world. Come back home. Not as a retreat, but as a march forward toward making India greater than ever before.

The $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike by the US is a pivotal moment for Indian skilled professionals. The choice is between staying in US under humiliation, or return home with pride, fueling India’s innovation, startups, and economy through a historic reverse brain drain.&nbsp;

Indians on H-1B visas, COME BACK HOME, as a mark of protest, and a matter of pride. Time to Make India Greater

US President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to increase the fee for H-1B visas to $100,000 (Rs 88 lakh) with an abruptly short implementation deadline of September 21 has resulted in a sharp hike in fares of flights to the US, while airports in the US, Dubai, and India witnessed chaos as Indian techies started disembarking from aircraft on getting the intimation. Tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon told their employees outside the US to return within 24 hours to avoid denial of reentry and urged all their H-1B visa holders to not leave the US for at least 14 days.During this time of the year, several Indians working abroad come home for Durga Puja, which starts next week.&nbsp;Meanwhile, those already in India saw fares of the direct flights to the US shoot up massively as airlines looked eager to cash in on the chaos unleashed by Trump. Since Indians account for about 70% of all H-1B visa recipients, the move hits them hard.The rules are quite evidently clear—enter the US before 12.01 am EDT (9.31 am IST) on September 21. After that, no H-1B worker will be allowed to enter the US unless the sponsoring employer pays the $100,000 fee.&nbsp;<h2>Short Sept 21 deadline sparks chaos</h2>&nbsp;Top tech firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and JP Morgan acted swiftly and advised their employees holding H-1B visas not to leave the US and asked those currently abroad to return to the US immediately.However, H-1B visa holders on a vacation or business trip to India have already missed the deadline.&nbsp;H-1B visa holders who are out of the US on business or vacation will get stranded unless they get in before midnight on September 21. H-1Bs still in India have already missed the deadline, as there is no way for them to arrive in time.Direct flights from Delhi or Mumbai to New York take 15–16 hours, and with India nearly 10 hours ahead of Eastern Time, even travellers boarding on the morning of September 20 IST would land after the US deadline.&nbsp;<h2>Airfares shoot up massively&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;A one-way flight fare from New Delhi to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York jumped to Rs 70,000-80,000 from around Rs 37,000 within two hours of Trump’s announcement as people scrambled to return before the cut-off time.H-1B holders disembark from aircraftThe impact on H-1B holders was visible even at the US airports. Several H-1B visa holders flying out of the US chose to disembark from the aircraft after getting intimation about the September 21 deadline.&nbsp;&nbsp;WATCH: Nasscom On H1B Visa Fee Hike: US Will Feel A 'Ripple Effect'<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasscom-on-h1b-visa-fee-hike-us-will-feel-a-ripple-effect-1758368126063/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasscom-on-h1b-visa-fee-hike-us-will-feel-a-ripple-effect-1758368126063/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;An Emirates flight was delayed for hours at the San Francisco International Airport when several Indian passengers insisted on disembarking.“It was complete chaos… many H-1B visa holders just refused to fly once the news broke,” posted a traveller Masud Rana on X.Similar scenes played out in Dubai and other transit hubs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Extremely sad situation😪 An international flight packed with Indians(coming for Durga Puja)from Bay Area had completed boarding &amp; was due to leave SFO Airport,when the news about H1 B visa new rules just broke out. Indians aboard panicked,pleaded to get off the plane,but alas😪&mdash; CA Kaustav Majumdar (@KaustavMaj94587) <a href="https://twitter.com/KaustavMaj94587/status/1969309141609935221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Kaustav Majumdar, a chartered accountant, described how “an international flight packed with Indians from the Bay Area had completed boarding… when panic erupted and people pleaded to get off.”Another eyewitness in Dubai said 10–15 passengers disembarked within 20 minutes after hearing about the re-entry deadline. Trump’s sudden move disrupted personal plans in the short term but will also severely impact teams in the US tech industry.

H-1B visa holders in India have already missed the deadline, as there is no way for them to arrive in time. Trump’s sudden move disrupted personal plans in the short term but will also severely impact teams in the US tech industry.

US President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to increase the fee for H-1B visas to $100,000 (Rs 88 lakh) with an abruptly short implementation deadline of September 21 has resulted in a sharp hike in fares of flights to the US, while airports in the US, Dubai, and India witnessed chaos as Indian techies started disembarking from aircraft on getting the intimation. Tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon told their employees outside the US to return within 24 hours to avoid denial of reentry and urged all their H-1B visa holders to not leave the US for at least 14 days. During this time of the year, several Indians working abroad come home for Durga Puja, which starts next week. Meanwhile, those already in India saw fares of the direct flights to the US shoot up massively as airlines looked eager to cash in on the chaos unleashed by Trump. Since Indians account for about 70% of all H-1B visa recipients, the move hits them hard. The rules are quite evidently clear—enter the US before 12.01 am EDT (9.31 am IST) on September 21. After that, no H-1B worker will be allowed to enter the US unless the sponsoring employer pays the $100,000 fee. Short Sept 21 deadline sparks chaos Top tech firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and JP Morgan acted swiftly and advised their employees holding H-1B visas not to leave the US and asked those currently abroad to return to the US immediately. However, H-1B visa holders on a vacation or business trip to India have already missed the deadline. H-1B visa holders who are out of the US on business or vacation will get stranded unless they get in before midnight on September 21. H-1Bs still in India have already missed the deadline, as there is no way for them to arrive in time. Direct flights from Delhi or Mumbai to New York take 15–16 hours, and with India nearly 10 hours ahead of Eastern Time, even travellers boarding on the morning of September 20 IST would land after the US deadline. Airfares shoot up massively A one-way flight fare from New Delhi to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York jumped to Rs 70,000-80,000 from around Rs 37,000 within two hours of Trump’s announcement as people scrambled to return before the cut-off time. H-1B holders disembark from aircraft The impact on H-1B holders was visible even at the US airports. Several H-1B visa holders flying out of the US chose to disembark from the aircraft after getting intimation about the September 21 deadline. WATCH: Nasscom On H1B Visa Fee Hike: US Will Feel A 'Ripple Effect' https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasscom-on-h1b-visa-fee-hike-us-will-feel-a-ripple-effect-1758368126063/embed An Emirates flight was delayed for hours at the San Francisco International Airport when several Indian passengers insisted on disembarking. “It was complete chaos… many H-1B visa holders just refused to fly once the news broke,” posted a traveller Masud Rana on X. Similar scenes played out in Dubai and other transit hubs.

H-1B visa holders in India have already missed the deadline, as there is no way for them to arrive in time. Trump’s sudden move disrupted personal plans in the short term but will also severely impact teams in the US tech industry.

India-US flight fares soar after Trump’s sudden H-1B visa fee hike; airports witness chaos

The project is designed to protect American workers’ rights, wages, and job opportunities, signalling a significant tightening of rules for foreign professionals in the United States

The project is designed to protect American workers’ rights, wages, and job opportunities, signalling a significant tightening of rules for foreign professionals in the United States

What is Project Firewall? 5 things every H-1B worker should know about this ‘America-first’ policy

For Grishma, an Indian software designer, President Donald Trump&#39;s review of the visa programme for bringing highly skilled workers into the United States comes at a bad time.

Fresh from gaining a master&#39;s degree in Europe, and with an offer of employment from a well-known US design firm, she was well on her way to fulfilling the ambition of many young Indian IT workers -- a dream job in America.

But as she waits in the H-1B visa queue for the green light, she is caught in a bind.

&quot;It&#39;s a weird time to be applying, with all the scrutiny,&quot; said Grishma, who gave only her first name for fear of jeopardising her chances of getting a visa.

The United States has already suspended the &quot;expedited processing option&quot; for applicants, under which she may have received a visa in weeks.

More broadly, uncertainty over the review announced this week has unsettled Grishma and many others like her.

She will have to wait until at least around August to learn her fate, but having accepted the US&nbsp;job offer she is not in a position to apply for positions elsewhere, including in Europe.

&quot;It&#39;s pretty debilitating,&quot; Grishma told Reuters. &quot;I&#39;d like to start work to mitigate the financial damage.&quot;

Trump&#39;s decision was not a huge surprise, given his election campaign pledge to put American jobs first.

But the executive order he signed, though vague in many areas, has prompted thousands of foreign workers already in the United States or applying for visas to work there to re-think their plans. Companies who send them also face huge uncertainty.

The concerns are particularly acute in India, where IT firms like Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys Ltd and Wipro Ltd are top beneficiaries of the H-1B visa programme, using it to send computer engineers to service clients in the United States, their largest overseas market.

Companies and staff realign

Experts say Trump&#39;s order to review visa processes is aimed at firms like TCS, Infosys and Wipro, which from 2005-14 snagged around 86,000 H-1B visas, roughly equivalent to the number of H-1B visas the United States issues in total each year.

Two industry sources said Infosys, India&#39;s No&nbsp;2 information technology (IT) services company, is applying for just under 1,000 H-1B visas this year, which one of the sources said was down from 6,500 applications in 2016 and some 9,000 in 2015.

It was not clear whether the sharp reduction in 2017 was in direct response to Trump&#39;s presidency, although the company has said for some time it wanted to cut dependence on &quot;fly-in&quot; staff.

TCS, Infosys and Wipro said they would not share data on the number of H-1B visas they had applied for this year.

With fewer visas going to Infosys, more might become available for smaller IT companies and big US&nbsp;tech companies, like Facebook and Microsoft Corp, that typically send in fewer H-1B applications each year.

US-based immigration lawyer Murali Bashyam, managing partner of Bashyam Spiro LLP which advises and works with small to mid-sized Indian IT firms, said clients had been in contact seeking clarity, while the number of visa applicants had fallen.

&quot;I think the reason for that is they get the sense that it&#39;s going to get so much tougher to comply with all of the changes ... that it might not be worth their money,&quot; he said.

&quot;There is a fear that radical immigration changes are coming, and if those radical immigration changes come then it could completely change the way IT staffing companies do business.&quot;

Bashyam said the number of people on H-1B visas already working in the United States who were considering returning to their home country had risen.

An engineer working at Cisco, who has been in the United States since 2011, said that three months ago he would not have considered returning to India.

But the review of the visa system, and any rule change that revoked the right for his wife to work in the United States on a dependent visa, could force him to change his mind.

&quot;If that happens, then I would definitely be interested in going back to India. Even though I&#39;m secure, I don&#39;t want to be in a situation where my wife cannot work,&quot; said the engineer, who declined to be named.

&quot;Those who have heavily invested here, who&#39;ve bought houses, property and are still on visas, are afraid.&quot;

&#39;I&#39;m looking eastward&#39;

According to Bashyam, some Indians on H-1B visas were cancelling plans to return home to visit their families in case they had problems getting back into the United States.

&quot;With everything that&#39;s going on, travelling outside the U.S. is the biggest fear for a lot of the H-1B workers working in the IT staffing industry,&quot; he said.

And the uncertainty is not limited to IT.

Trump&#39;s campaign rhetoric around tighter visa rules has led some Indian students considering studying abroad to look beyond the United States, which typically draws in over 100,000 Indian students annually.

One Canadian official said the number of student visa applications for certain courses in Canada had spiked over 250 per cent since Trump&#39;s election win in November.

Akshay Baliga, a management consultant with a H-1B visa that is valid until 2018, said he was not considering returning to the United States for work any time soon.

&quot;As a professional I&#39;m looking eastward,&quot; said Baliga, now based in India but who earlier studied and lived for years in America.

(Reuters)

The concerns are particularly acute in India, where IT firms like TCS, Infosys and Wipro are top beneficiaries of the H-1B visa programme

For Grishma, an Indian software designer, President Donald Trump's review of the visa programme for bringing highly skilled workers into the United States comes at a bad time. Fresh from gaining a master's degree in Europe, and with an offer of employment from a well-known US design firm, she was well on her way to fulfilling the ambition of many young Indian IT workers -- a dream job in America. But as she waits in the H-1B visa queue for the green light, she is caught in a bind. "It's a weird time to be applying, with all the scrutiny," said Grishma, who gave only her first name for fear of jeopardising her chances of getting a visa. The United States has already suspended the "expedited processing option" for applicants, under which she may have received a visa in weeks. More broadly, uncertainty over the review announced this week has unsettled Grishma and many others like her. She will have to wait until at least around August to learn her fate, but having accepted the US job offer she is not in a position to apply for positions elsewhere, including in Europe. "It's pretty debilitating," Grishma told Reuters. "I'd like to start work to mitigate the financial damage." Trump's decision was not a huge surprise, given his election campaign pledge to put American jobs first. But the executive order he signed, though vague in many areas, has prompted thousands of foreign workers already in the United States or applying for visas to work there to re-think their plans. Companies who send them also face huge uncertainty. The concerns are particularly acute in India, where IT firms like Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys Ltd and Wipro Ltd are top beneficiaries of the H-1B visa programme, using it to send computer engineers to service clients in the United States, their largest overseas market. Companies and staff realign Experts say Trump's order to review visa processes is aimed at firms like TCS, Infosys and Wipro, which from 2005-14 snagged around 86,000 H-1B visas, roughly equivalent to the number of H-1B visas the United States issues in total each year. Two industry sources said Infosys, India's No 2 information technology (IT) services company, is applying for just under 1,000 H-1B visas this year, which one of the sources said was down from 6,500 applications in 2016 and some 9,000 in 2015. It was not clear whether the sharp reduction in 2017 was in direct response to Trump's presidency, although the company has said for some time it wanted to cut dependence on "fly-in" staff. TCS, Infosys and Wipro said they would not share data on the number of H-1B visas they had applied for this year. With fewer visas going to Infosys, more might become available for smaller IT companies and big US tech companies, like Facebook and Microsoft Corp, that typically send in fewer H-1B applications each year. US-based immigration lawyer Murali Bashyam, managing partner of Bashyam Spiro LLP which advises and works with small to mid-sized Indian IT firms, said clients had been in contact seeking clarity, while the number of visa applicants had fallen. "I think the reason for that is they get the sense that it's going to get so much tougher to comply with all of the changes ... that it might not be worth their money," he said. "There is a fear that radical immigration changes are coming, and if those radical immigration changes come then it could completely change the way IT staffing companies do business." Bashyam said the number of people on H-1B visas already working in the United States who were considering returning to their home country had risen. An engineer working at Cisco, who has been in the United States since 2011, said that three months ago he would not have considered returning to India. But the review of the visa system, and any rule change that revoked the right for his wife to work in the United States on a dependent visa, could force him to change his mind. "If that happens, then I would definitely be interested in going back to India. Even though I'm secure, I don't want to be in a situation where my wife cannot work," said the engineer, who declined to be named. "Those who have heavily invested here, who've bought houses, property and are still on visas, are afraid." 'I'm looking eastward' According to Bashyam, some Indians on H-1B visas were cancelling plans to return home to visit their families in case they had problems getting back into the United States. "With everything that's going on, travelling outside the U.S. is the biggest fear for a lot of the H-1B workers working in the IT staffing industry," he said. And the uncertainty is not limited to IT. Trump's campaign rhetoric around tighter visa rules has led some Indian students considering studying abroad to look beyond the United States, which typically draws in over 100,000 Indian students annually. One Canadian official said the number of student visa applications for certain courses in Canada had spiked over 250 per cent since Trump's election win in November. Akshay Baliga, a management consultant with a H-1B visa that is valid until 2018, said he was not considering returning to the United States for work any time soon. "As a professional I'm looking eastward," said Baliga, now based in India but who earlier studied and lived for years in America. (Reuters)

Indian techies, IT firms fret as Trump orders H-1B visa review

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Indian techies, IT firms fret as Trump orders H-1B visa review