US clarified that its new US H-1B visa fee will apply to new applications, not existing holders

In a huge reprieve to Indian tech professionals, US officials on Saturday clarified that President Trump's new order on increasing the H-1B fee to USD 100,000 will only apply to new applications and will not be applicable to existing holders.

"Those who are visiting or leaving the country, or visiting India, they don't need to rush back before Sunday or pay the $100,000 fee. $100,000 is only for new and not current existing holders," a senior US official told news agency ANI.

The clarification comes hours after Trump's order caused chaos at many airports in the US. Visuals have also gone viral on



social media, showing the chaos at US airports, as many tech giants, including Amazon, Meta and Microsoft, have urged their employees to return to the country before September 21. 

Trump has defended his new order and cited the 'abuse' of the H-1B visa for increasing fees. As per the US President, the abuse of the H-1B visa has posed a 'national security threat' for the United States.    

"The large-scale replacement of American workers through systemic abuse of the program has undermined both our economic and national security," said the Republican President in his order.