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2h ago

Emirates Flight From SFO Delayed Over H‑1B Fee Confusion as White House Clarifies Policy

The administration now says the $100,000 charge is a one-time petition fee that does not affect reentry for current H‑1B holders.

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A screengrab shows passengers on Emirates flight EK226 to India from San Francisco which was delayed by three hours as passengers disembarked over worries they wouldn't be allowed back due to US visa changes. Photo: Fahad Naim / X

Overview

  • Emirates flight EK226 to Dubai departed more than three hours late from San Francisco after multiple passengers chose to disembark.
  • Video from the cabin captured confusion as the captain invited those wishing to leave to come forward, prompting time‑consuming baggage offloading.
  • Bay Area tech employers advised H‑1B employees not to travel abroad while guidance was unclear, leading some travelers to exit the aircraft.
  • The disruption followed the president’s announcement of a $100,000 H‑1B fee and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s public description of the fee as annual.
  • A subsequent White House fact sheet and a statement from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified the fee is a one‑time petition cost that does not apply to current holders or renewals, easing immediate reentry concerns.