The Indian Embassy in the United States has issued an emergency assistance number for Indian nationals after President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing an annual fee of USD 100,000 on new H-1B visa applications.
“Indian nationals seeking emergency assistance may call +1-202-550-9931 (also available on WhatsApp). This number should be used only in urgent situations and not for routine consular queries,” the Embassy announced in a post on X.
With nearly 72 percent of H-1B visas granted to Indian applicants, the decision has raised concerns about its impact on Indian IT professionals, remittances, and family stability.
A senior US administration official clarified that the fee applies only to new petitions and not to existing H-1B holders or those seeking renewals. “Those currently holding visas, including individuals visiting India or abroad, do not need to rush back before Sunday or pay the fee,” the official told ANI.
The Indian government has instructed its Missions and Posts to provide maximum support to nationals traveling back to the US within the next 24 hours.
In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the full implications of the US decision are under review by all stakeholders, including Indian industry. He stressed that both India and the US share interests in innovation and talent mobility, which have historically driven technology growth, economic competitiveness, and strong people-to-people ties.
“This measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences due to disruptions for families. The Government hopes these concerns will be suitably addressed by US authorities,” the MEA added.
