Overnight disruption sets off panic wave at home, abroad

When Krish (name changed) came to India in August to renew his H-1B visa, he expected the entire process to be completed in a week and be able to swiftly return to the US to be with his pregnant wife in time for her delivery.

Instead, Krish is still stuck in India and has become even more anxious after US President Donald Trump announced a hefty $100,000 (Rs 88 lakh) annual fee on H-1B visas with effect from Sunday. The fee hike is aimed at dissuading US companies from recruiting skilled foreign workers using H-1B visas, most of whom belong to…