The White House clarified that the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee announced under President Trump will apply only to new applicants in upcoming lottery cycles, not existing visa holders or renewals. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed it is not an annual fee, easing concerns among Indian IT professionals and companies. The rule, aimed at curbing visa misuse and protecting U.S. workers, allows case-by-case exemptions if applications serve the national interest. Existing H-1B holders, whose visas take effect on October 1, 2025, remain unaffected by this order. (PC: Mint)  

Joint security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch sector recovered 20 Chinese hand grenades during an intelligence-led operation, thwarting a major terror plot. The cache was intended for hinterland infiltration. Last month, two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) associates were arrested in Bandipora with Chinese grenades, UBGL rounds, and AK-series ammunition; one Army jawan was injured. Counter Intelligence units also raided seven Kashmir districts, seizing digital devices and documents. Intelligence reports reveal Pakistan’s ISI is supplying Chinese-made weapons like pistols, grenades, night vision gear via drones to POK terror camps. Terrorists are receiving encrypted communication tools and digital maps to evade Indian surveillance and aid infiltration.(PC: India Today)

A cyberattack has disrupted operations at major European airports, including London’s Heathrow and Brussels Airport, causing flight cancellations and delays. The attack targeted check-in and boarding systems, forcing airport staff to manually process passengers. UK broadcaster Sky News reported the issue as a “technical problem,” while Brussels Airport confirmed it was due to a cyberattack. The disruption led to long queues and confusion among travelers. Authorities are investigating the breach, which highlights vulnerabilities in aviation infrastructure. Passengers are advised to check with airlines for updates. The incident underscores growing concerns over cybersecurity threats to critical transportation systems across Europe.(PC: Reuters)

Following President Donald Trump's renewed crackdown on immigration, major tech firms Meta and Microsoft urgently advised their H-1B visa holders not to leave the U.S. for at least 14 days. Internal emails accessed by NDTV Profit reveal that employees currently outside the U.S. were instructed to return within 24 hours to avoid re-entry denial. The directive comes amid heightened restrictions on legal immigration, prompting swift internal coordination among top companies. The move underscores growing uncertainty for foreign tech workers and signals a volatile shift in U.S. immigration policy. Companies are bracing for further disruptions as the administration tightens its stance on visa regulations.(PC: CNN & Pinterest)

US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation requiring all H-1B visa holders—including current employees—to have their employer pay USD 100,000 per year, or face denial of entry starting 12:01 am EDT on September 21, 2025. New and renewal applications must also meet this fee requirement annually. The change is described as aimed at curbing “systemic abuse” of the H-1B programme, protecting American workers, and ensuring foreign skilled workers hired genuinely qualify. Exceptions may be granted in special cases where hiring is deemed in the national interest. 

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 annual fee on companies hiring foreign skilled workers via the H-1B visa program. This is aimed at discouraging US firms from relying on international talent, particularly from India and China, and boosting employment of American graduates. Critics warn the move could hurt the US tech industry, which depends heavily on highly skilled foreign workers. Proponents say this protects domestic workers and promotes reskilling of Americans.   

A cyberattack on the passenger-handling systems of several European airports has caused widespread disruption. Airlines at Brussels, London Heathrow, Berlin's Brandenburg among others saw their check-in and boarding processes disabled, forcing manual operations. Brussels Airport said flight schedules were “largely impacted” as only manual check-in and boarding were possible. Heathrow described the issue as a “technical issue” with a service provider. Berlin airport also cut off connections to affected systems after the service provider was attacked. The provider involved is Collins Aerospace, which offers kiosks for self check-in, printing boarding passes and baggage tags. 

In response to the Trump administration's new $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas, major U.S. employers Amazon, Microsoft, and JPMorgan have urgently advised their H-1B and H-4 visa holders to remain in the country. Amazon instructed employees to return to the U.S. by September 21, 12 a.m. Eastern Time, while Microsoft and JPMorgan recommended staying in the U.S. and avoiding international travel until further guidance is issued. The policy shift, effective September 21, 2025, is expected to significantly impact Indian tech professionals, who account for 72% of H-1B visa holders.  

The U.S. has increased the H-1B visa fee by $100,000, effective September 21, 2025. This move aims to reduce reliance on foreign labor and prioritize American workers. While Indian IT firms like TCS typically apply for 3,000–4,000 H-1B visas annually, the fee hike poses a greater challenge for companies like Tesla. Tesla has hired approximately 1,355 visa holders, while laying off over 6,000 American workers, raising concerns about wage disparities and employment practices. The policy shift could significantly impact Indian tech professionals in the U.S.   

President Donald Trump has introduced a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applications, effective September 21, 2025, marking a major change in U.S. immigration policy. The move aims to reduce reliance on foreign labor, prioritizing American workers, especially in tech and high-skilled sectors. Experts warn this could increase costs for companies, potentially discouraging hiring of skilled foreign professionals. Alongside, Trump has unveiled new visa categories, including Gold and Platinum Cards, targeting wealthy individuals and investors. The policy is expected to reshape the H-1B program and affect Indian tech workers significantly.