H-1B Visa Update: What Travelers Need to Know

Chaos at SFO as Emirates Flight Delayed After Confusion Over H-1B Visa Fees

San Francisco International Airport witnessed chaos on Friday when an Emirates flight to India was delayed by nearly three hours after several Indian passengers holding H-1B visas disembarked abruptly.

According to reports, many Indian professionals left the aircraft after receiving urgent calls from their employers, advising them not to leave the United States amid widespread confusion about a newly announced $100,000 fee for H-1B visas.

The incident caused significant disruption at the airport before officials clarified the situation. The White House later issued a statement to ease concerns, noting that the new measure had been misunderstood.

Key clarifications include:

• The $100,000 fee is not annual but a one-time fee applied only to new petitions.

• Current H-1B holders outside the U.S. will not be charged this amount upon re-entry. Their ability to travel remains unchanged.

• The rule applies only to new visas in the upcoming lottery cycle, not to renewals or existing visa holders.

Officials emphasized that those already holding valid H-1B visas can continue traveling without additional charges. Despite the clarification, the confusion had already caused a ripple effect, leaving many passengers stranded and airlines scrambling to manage the fallout.