Overview

• USCIS and the White House confirmed the charge is a one-time fee for future H‑1B filings, leaving current visa holders and previously filed petitions unaffected.
• Confusion following Friday’s proclamation triggered travel scrambles and company advisories, including a delayed Emirates flight from San Francisco and guidance from Amazon, Microsoft and Goldman Sachs to avoid international trips.
• Indian officials warned of humanitarian disruptions for families, as tech workers shared accounts of canceled plans and urgent returns to the US.
• Analysts said the steep cost could push employers to accelerate offshoring, near‑shoring and automation, with potential relocation of roles to hubs like Toronto, London and Bangalore.
• Industry groups and companies signaled limited near‑term impact for many Indian IT firms due to reduced H‑1B reliance and increased local hiring, while some observers pointed to the Gulf as a growing alternative for global tech talent.