As Indians rush to airports, US clarifies Trump's H-1B visa fee hike will 'hurt' only two categories

US President Donald Trump's recent order hiking the annual fee for H-1B visas to a whopping $100,000 will come into effect in a few hours, and Indian visa holders are scrambling for return flights. Amid uncertainties, the US authorities clarified not all would feel the "pain" of the sudden fee hike.

According to reports, Indian visa holders, who are already vacationing in India, have cut short their trip and are en route to the nearest airports. Likewise, many Indians who were planning to travel to the country for Diwali have cancelled their trips owing to uncertainties. 

However, a senior US official clarified that current H-1B visa holders will not be affected by the sudden fee hike. A senior US official told ANI, "Those who are visiting or leaving the country, or visiting India, they don't need to rush back before Sunday or pay the $100,000 fee. $100,000 is only for new and non-current holders."

In an unprecedented move, President Trump hiked the fee for H-1B visas to $100,000, and it would come into effect from September 22. About 70 per cent of H-1B visa seekers are Indians, and the move is considered to severely affect Indian youth's 'American dreams'. Trump’s decision is likely to impact Indian IT services companies, which have traditionally used H-1B visas to bring junior and mid-level engineers to the US for client projects and skills development. 

Reacting to the developments, the Ministry of External Affairs said the move could disrupt families and "is likely to have humanitarian consequences". "The full implications of the measure are being studied by all concerned", the ministry said.