Passengers in a state of panic were observed rushing off a crowded aircraft upon learning that foreign visa fees had surged to a staggering £74,000, reportedly due to a decision by Donald Trump.
Numerous passengers attempted to deplane an Emirates flight at San Francisco airport just before it was scheduled to depart for Dubai. Concerns arose among travelers that if they left the U.S. and returned after the September 21 deadline, they would be subject to the hefty fee.
The confusion stemmed from conflicting messages regarding the nature of the fee. Initially, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested it would be an annual fee, but the White House later clarified that it would be a one-time charge.
The visas impacted by the fee hike are H-1B visas, designed for highly educated foreign professionals on a temporary basis. Existing visa holders are not affected by the new regulations, rendering the passengers’ concerns unnecessary.
A passenger named Masud Rana, who documented the chaos, reported a three-hour delay as a result. Typically, passengers are not permitted to disembark once boarding a plane, but the pilot made an exception due to the “unprecedented” circumstances.
Addressing the situation, the captain reassured passengers over the intercom, stating that those who wished to disembark were free to do so.
Rana described the incident as “complete chaos” in a social media post, highlighting the distress caused by President Trump’s order affecting H-1B visa holders, particularly alarming Indian passengers who opted to leave the aircraft.
The announcement and subsequent confusion led to travel disruptions across the U.S., prompting many foreign workers to hastily return to America before the deadline.
H-1B visas play a crucial role in attracting highly skilled foreign workers to fill specialized roles in the U.S., with a significant portion awarded to individuals in computer-related fields, according to the Pew Research Center.
Clarifying the situation, Leavitt reassured that current H-1B visa holders outside the U.S. would not face the exorbitant re-entry fee, emphasizing that their ability to enter and exit the country remains unaffected by the recent proclamation.
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