Overview

• A senior U.S. official told ANI that H‑1B workers and families do not need to rush back by Sunday and will not be charged to re‑enter.
• USCIS guidance indicates the change will apply to upcoming H‑1B lottery cycles, with a review pledged within 30 days.
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs voiced concern, said it is assessing the impact, and the Indian embassy in Washington shared an emergency helpline for citizens.
• Initial corporate advisories from firms including Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and JPMorgan triggered trip changes and airport crowding before clarifications eased panic.
• The administration defended the higher fee as targeting misuse, protecting U.S. jobs, and prioritizing top talent, with reporting noting roughly 70–72% of beneficiaries are Indian.