Man has spent $ 8,000 on flights to return to US after visa fears

Rohan Mehta – not his real name – spends over $ 8,000 (£ 5,900) for flights in his fight to return to the United States before a deadline that will drastically increase visa fees for some.

He was in Nagpur, India for the anniversary of his father’s death before interrupting his journey.

On Friday, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order adding a $ 100,000 (£ 74,000) fee for the visa -based visa program for qualified foreign workers, who will have to pay companies in the US.

Companies and immigration attorneys have already advised those from the H-1B visa who were outside the United States to return before the order came into force on Sunday.

A day later, the White House explained that this would be a one-off fee and it would not apply to the current visa owners, but it was too late for some.

Workers from India receive far -skilled visas in the program, with more than 70% of 85,000 issued each year.

Despite the explanation published on the X by White House press secretary Carolyn Levitic, the concern and confusion have already spread.

The BBC talks with many H-1B visa owners from India.

Many have been working in the United States for decades.

No one wanted to be identified as they were not authorized by their employers. Many have refused to speak to us completely.

Rohan Mehta, a software professional, has lived in the United States with his family for 11 years, but has traveled to Nagpur early in the month to see relatives in memory of his father’s death.

But on September 20, he said he was afraid he would not be able to return to his home unless he returned before the deadline.

He spent over $ 8,000 (£ 5,900) for eight hours of reservation and rewriting flights to the United States.

“I have booked many options because most of them cut it very close,” he said just after he got on the Mumbai virgin Ocean flight to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

“Even if there was a slight delay, I would miss the deadline.”

In its explanation, the White House stated that the new fee, which is more than 60 times more than the accrued at the moment, will not be applied until the next round of visa applications is approved.

Rohan Mehta described the last few days as “traumatic”, adding that he was glad that his wife and daughter did not come to India with him in this trip.

“I am sorry for the choice I have made in life.

“My daughter has spent her entire life in the United States. I’m not sure how she will eradicate her life from there and start everywhere in India.”

The H-1B is a work visa program for people who want to work in the United States in specialized areas and roles. Employers are able to sponsor professionals to bring them into the country with a job offer needed for the application.

According to government statistics, the largest beneficiary of the program in the previous fiscal year is Amazon, followed by Tech Giants Tata, Microsoft, Meta, Apple and Google.

Another visa holder who was on vacation in Europe agreed that there was confusion.

“We will still see how employers think and how it will play.

“From my understanding, the order is only for new visas for the H-1B. Immigration lawyers still invent it and advised us to return.”

White House press secretary Carolyn Levitta published on X, clarifying some details, including that this will not be an annual fee, but only a one -time fee.

She wrote: “Those who already own H-1B visas and are currently out of the country at the moment will not be charged $ 100,000 to re-enter.

“Visa H-1B visa holders can leave and re-enter the country to the same degree as usual.”

She added that the new fee would only apply to “new visas, not to renewal, not current visa owners”.