The man spent 8,000 dollars on flights to return to the United States after the visa fears

Rohan Mihata – his real name – spent more than $ 8,000 (5900 pounds) on trips in his stampede to return to the United States before the deadline that would significantly increase the visa fees for some.

He was in Nagbur, India on the anniversary of his father’s death before he cut off his journey.

On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order adding a fee of $ 100,000 (74,000 pounds) for applicants to the visa program for the skilled foreign workers that will have to pay the US -taking companies to pay.

Companies and immigration lawyer had already advised those who had a H-1B visa who were outside the United States to return before the matter entered into force on Sunday.

A day later, the White House explained that it would be one time fee and will not apply to the current visa owners, but it is too late for some.

Workers from India to the most skilled visas in the program receive more than 70 % of 85,000 issued each year.

Despite the clarification he posted on X by White House press secretary Caroline Levitt, anxiety and confusion have already spread.

BBC spoke to many H-1B visa holders from India.

Many have been working in the United States for decades.

No one wants to be identified because they were not declared by employers. Many refused to talk to us completely.

Rohan Mehta, a software specialist in the United States with his 11 -year -old family, has lived, but he traveled to Nagbur at the beginning of the month to see their relatives celebrating the death of his father.

But on September 20, he said he was afraid that he would not be able to return to his home if he did not return before the deadline.

He spent more than $ 8,000 (5900 pounds) in eight hours in reservation and reservation of flights to the United States.

He said after he had boarded the Virgin Atlantic flight from Mumbai to John F. Kennedy International: “I booked multiple options because most of them were cut off closely.”

“Even if there is a slight delay, I missed the deadline.”

In its clarification, the White House said that the new fees, which are more than 60 times the amount currently occupied, will not be enforced until the next round of visa requests was approved.

Rohan Mahata described the past few days as “shocking”, adding that he was happy for his wife and daughter who did not come to India with him on this trip.

“I am sorry for the options I have taken in life. I gave my youth to work in this country (the United States) and now I feel I am not required.

“My daughter spent her entire life in the United States. I am not sure how to uproot my life from there and start again in India.”

H-1B is a work visa program for people looking to work in the United States in specialized fields and roles. Working owners can care for professionals to enter them into the country with a required work offer for application.

Another visa holder who was on vacation in Europe agreed to have confusion.

“We haven’t seen yet how employers think and how it will take place.

“From my understanding, it is only intended for new H-1B visas. Immigration lawyers are still discovering and advised us to return.”

White House journalist Caroline Levitte published on X, showing some details, including that she will not be annual fees, just once.

I wrote: “Those who are already carrying H-1B visas and are currently outside the country at the present time they will not be imposed on $ 100,000 to re-enter.

“H-1B visa holders can leave the country and re-enter it as much as they usually do.”

She added that the new drawings will only apply to “new visas, not renovations, not the current visa owners.”