Overview

• USCIS and the White House stated the fee is a single payment for new H‑1B petitions, with renewals and current holders unaffected and travel continuing as normal.
• India’s government warned of humanitarian and economic impacts and is pressing Washington as legal challenges are widely expected during the 12‑month policy window.
• Tech hubs stand to feel the greatest effects, with California, Texas and New York leading approvals and major sponsors such as Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple and Google heavily exposed.
• Initial confusion, including company advisories against travel and reports of passengers disembarking flights, has eased following official clarifications.
• Analysts forecast fewer applications, higher costs for startups, and a shift of roles offshore or to alternative markets such as the Gulf, while DHS pursues rulemaking to prioritize higher‑wage candidates.