The Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, has rolled out an emergency helpline for Indian nationals in the US after President Donald Trump signed a proclamation slapping a hefty $100,000 annual fee on new H-1B visa applications. This move is stirring worries among Indian tech workers, who snag about 70% of these visas each year.
If you’re an Indian national facing urgent issues related to this H-1B visa change, reach out via phone or WhatsApp at +1-202-550-9931. The embassy stressed on X (formerly Twitter) that this line is strictly for emergencies—not everyday consular questions. The post from @IndianEmbassyUS went live on September 20, 2025.
A top US official quickly stepped in to ease fears, explaining that the $100,000 fee only hits fresh H-1B petitions. Current visa holders, including those renewing or traveling abroad—like to India—don’t face this cost or a deadline to rush back before Sunday. “Those visiting or leaving the country don’t need to hurry back or pay the fee—it’s just for new applicants, not existing ones,” the official told .
India’s government is on high alert, urging its embassies and consulates worldwide to offer full support to Indians heading back to the US in the coming hours. Officials are digging into the broader fallout of this H-1B visa fee hike, especially for families and remittances that fuel India’s economy.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared a statement highlighting the shared interests of Indian and US industries in tech innovation and creativity. “We’re reviewing the full impact, including input from Indian businesses who’ve already clarified some misconceptions about the H-1B program,” he said. He added that skilled worker mobility has boosted growth and ties between the two nations, but this step could disrupt families in tough ways.
The government hopes US authorities will tackle these humanitarian concerns head-on to minimize the chaos for everyday people caught in the middle.
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