Overview

• White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the charge is a one‑time petition fee, not an annual levy, and it does not apply to current H‑1B holders.
• USCIS echoed that the rule covers only new, not‑yet‑filed petitions and does not apply to renewals or existing visa holders, including those currently abroad.
• A senior U.S. official told ANI that holders do not need to return to the United States before the stated deadline and will not be charged to re‑enter.
• India’s MEA said it is studying the measure and flagged possible difficulties for professionals and families, while the Indian Embassy in Washington published an emergency helpline (+1‑202‑550‑9931).
• Earlier employer advisories and legal warnings urged H‑1B workers to stay or rush back to the U.S.; the clarifications come as data show roughly 71–72% of recent beneficiaries are Indian.