**H-1B Visa Fee Hike Leads to Surge in Travel Bookings**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | September 20, 2025, 6:48 PM*
The recent increase in H-1B visa fees to $100,000 has triggered a significant rise in last-minute travel bookings to the United States. Indian professionals and students are rushing to secure their tickets ahead of the new fee implementation.
Travel platforms like MakeMyTrip have reported an unusual spike in same-day or next-day bookings—an uncommon trend for long-haul international trips. This surge reflects the urgency among Indian nationals, who form the largest group of H-1B beneficiaries, to travel before the higher costs take effect.
**Travel Impact: Major Shifts Anticipated**
Experts predict notable changes in travel patterns due to the fee hike. Dr. [Name] pointed out that increased caution is expected from employers, with fewer discretionary international trips approved by HR until there is more legal clarity surrounding the new regulations.
**Workforce Impact: Job Mobility May Suffer**
The H-1B visa program, which enables U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, has been a key channel for Indian tech professionals to work in the United States. However, the substantial fee increase could complicate the hiring process for American technology firms and limit opportunities for foreign talent.
Immigration lawyer Sophie Alcorn warns that this fee hike might restrict job mobility and make visa renewals prohibitively expensive for Indian tech workers, potentially impacting their career flexibility and growth.
As the industry adapts to these changes, both professionals and employers will need to navigate the evolving landscape carefully.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/why-last-minute-travel-bookings-to-us-is-surging/story
