Exclusive: Indian Techie On How She Spent $2,000 To Beat H-1B Deadline

Exclusive: Indian Techie Recounts $2,000 Emergency Flight to Beat H-1B Deadline

The Trump administration has unveiled a proposal to restructure the H-1B visa selection process, prioritizing higher-skilled applicants

Amrutha Tamanam was enjoying her paid leave in India when she received an urgent message from her American employer regarding President Donald Trump's newly announced $100,000 H-1B visa fee. Having established her life in the United States over a decade, she suddenly found herself in a desperate rush to secure flights back, fearing potential exclusion from her adopted homeland.

Speaking to NDTV, Tamanam disclosed that she spent approximately $2,000 (roughly Rs 1,65,000) on a one-way flight to Dallas, hastily rebooking an earlier departure to ensure she entered the United States before President Trump's new visa regulations took effect.

"My original round trip was around $900," she explained.

Tamanam's experience mirrors that of numerous Indian professionals who have established their lives in America through the skilled visa program. She detailed the sudden turmoil that engulfed her life following Trump's Friday announcement.

"I possess a valid I-797 document (issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services) until 2028. My visa remains valid until 2028 as well. I have an approved form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers)... I believed I had all necessary documentation. So initially I planned to wait until my scheduled travel date on September 27. However, when I saw messages flooding WhatsApp groups, I became anxious," she recounted.

"I contacted several attorneys... Their advice was clear: if you have an opportunity to return, do so immediately."

Tamanam hopes the Trump administration will reconsider and reduce the visa fee, expressing concern that the current policy could signal "the end of the H-1B program."

"I have colleagues earning less than $100,000. If they're not even making that amount, how could employers afford such a substantial fee for each employee's entry? That's an enormous sum," she added.

The Indian technologist fears for her future in America, where she has built her entire life over thirteen years.

"The reason I hurried back to the US is because... I've established my entire life here. I have full-time employment, own my home, and have completely settled here. I couldn't bear to abandon everything I've worked so hard to achieve during my 13 years in America. That's why I traveled in such panic," she explained.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration released a proposal to overhaul the H-1B visa selection process, favoring higher-skilled and better-compensated workers, according to a Federal Register notice. This follows Friday's White House proclamation introducing the $100,000 visa fee.