H-1B Visa Fee Hike Sparks Panic; Emirates Flight Delayed at San Francisco

H-1B Visa Chaos at Airport : US President Donald Trump's announcement of a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas on Friday caused chaos on flights bound for the US. An Emirates flight to India was particularly delayed by three hours.

Many Indian passengers at San Francisco International Airport left their flights due to fear and uncertainty. Some passengers said they might face difficulties returning to the US after the new rules came into effect, so they considered deplaning the flight a safer option. This resulted in a three-hour delay in flight schedules.

Photos and Videos on Social Media

Passengers shared pictures and videos on social media, in which people standing in the corridor of the aircraft are visible. Some passengers are busy on the phone, while others are looking around and cannot understand when and how the aircraft will fly. The scene went viral on social media and showed the concern of the passengers.

In a video, captains are heard saying to the passengers, "Ladies and gentlemen, if you want, you can get off the aircraft. The current circumstances are unprecedented to us, and we know that many travelers do not want to travel with us. It's perfectly fine." This statement gave passengers freedom to choose, and some decided to leave the aircraft.

Passenger Reactions and Chaos

Passengers said that the order implemented to the new and current H-1B visa holders increased the chaos. There was fear and concern among Indian travelers, especially. Reports were shared on social media that there was an atmosphere of confusion and insecurity at the airport on Friday morning. Many passengers said that they are now rethinking their decision to go to America.

Experts Comment

Experts say the decision not only disrupted passengers' plans but also impacted the airline's operations. Emirates officials were not unaware of the situation and tried to calm the passengers. Passengers were explained that leaving the plane was a perfectly valid option.

This incident showed that changes in visa rules can have an impact not only at the administrative level but also directly on passengers and airline operations.