Following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a $100,000 entry fee for non-immigrant visas, many H-1B visa holders are hurrying back to the US.
Travel agents in the UAE reported a “panic” among H-1B visa travelers on Saturday after Trump’s announcement. US companies advised these visa holders not to travel abroad, leading those overseas to return quickly to the US.
After US officials clarified that the new fee applies only to new applicants, not current visa holders or renewals, the urgency has lessened, though many are still advancing their return plans, wary of further rule changes by the Trump administration.
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Avinash Adnani, managing director of Neo Travels and Tourism, noted high demand from students and professionals flying to the US on Saturday after the fee announcement.
“All US-bound flights were full on Saturday, as both Emirates and Etihad Airways offer excellent connectivity from the Indian subcontinent to the US. Many travelers chose Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport for its pre-clearance US immigration facility,” Adnani told Khaleej Times on Sunday.
A significant Indian and Pakistani diaspora in the US, Europe, and other Western regions prefer UAE carriers for their strong connections.
“The situation improved today after the US clarified the fee is for new applicants only, but people are still advancing their return to the US due to company advisories,” he said.
Reena Philip, general manager of Airtravel Enterprises and Tourism, described a “panic and uncertainty” among H-1B holders following the fee announcement.
“We have students and professionals traveling, but not many. The main issue is in India, where getting a US visa appointment already involves a year-long wait, now compounded by this new fee concern,” she added.
Flights packed, airfares rising
Social media buzzed with videos of passengers requesting de-boarding due to H-1B visa changes.
Tech giants like Amazon, Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Apple, and Google are major H-1B visa users. Amazon employed over 14,300 H-1B holders, while Tata Consultancy had over 5,500 under the visa program as of June 2025. Other firms have also hired thousands of skilled workers through this program.
The US president’s executive order stated that some employers misuse the program, suppressing wages and disadvantaging US workers.
Avinash Adnani noted that flights are at full capacity, and this surge in demand could increase airfares by up to 20 percent.
“Bookings are robust in the coming days as people advance trips. Due to supply-demand dynamics, airfares may rise by 15 to 20 percent shortly,” he said.
