Washington, DC: In a major policy move that could significantly impact the Indian workforce in the United States, President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation mandating a USD 100,000 (approximately ₹90 lakh) annual fee for all H-1B visa holders.

The new regulation, effective Sunday (September 21, 12:01 am EDT/9:30 am IST), bars entry into the US for H-1B employees — including current visa holders — unless their employers have paid the mandatory fee.

The rule applies to both fresh H-1B applications and extensions, requiring companies to pay USD 100,000 upfront during processing and an additional USD 100,000 each year to maintain the visa status. Immigration experts warn that many H-1B holders currently abroad may have already missed the deadline.

“H-1B visa holders who are out of the US on business or vacation will get stranded unless they enter before midnight September 21. Those still in India may already have missed the deadline since no direct flight can reach in time,” noted New York-based immigration attorney Cyrus Mehta in a post on X.

The decision is expected to heavily affect Indian IT professionals, who form the majority of H-1B beneficiaries, and outsourcing firms dependent on such talent. The policy has triggered an urgent response from US technology and finance companies.

Amazon has issued an advisory urging employees on H-1B and H-4 visas to remain in the US until further notice. “If you have H-1B status and are in the US, stay in the country for now,” Amazon said in an internal note, also recommending visa holders abroad return before the deadline. Microsoft has issued similar guidance, stressing urgency in internal communications.

Meanwhile, JPMorgan’s external immigration counsel has advised H-1B workers to avoid international travel and remain in the country until there is further clarity, signaling widespread concern across the tech and finance sectors over the potential disruption caused by the new regulation.