Indians Deplane Emirates Flight At San Francisco As Trump’s H-1B Fee Hike Sparks Panic | Video

Last Updated:September 22, 2025, 18:12 IST

The flight, bound for Dubai, was preparing for take-off when reports of the new visa fee began circulating online

Visuals from inside the plane, shared by a passenger on social media, showed a chaotic scene. (Screengrab via Instagram/mashraana)

Several Indian passengers deplaned an Emirates flight at San Francisco International Airport on Friday, following panic over US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a steep $100,000 application fee for the H-1B work visa.

The incident caused a three-hour delay and led to confusion among Indian passengers on board.

The flight, bound for Dubai, was preparing for take-off when reports of the new visa fee began circulating online. Many Indian nationals—believed to be current H-1B visa holders—chose to get off the aircraft, fearing they might not be able to return to the United States if they left now.

Visuals from inside the plane, shared by a passenger on social media, showed a chaotic scene. Passengers stood in the aisles, some scrolling through their phones, others visibly confused or discussing their next move.

In one video, the plane’s captain addressed the uncertainty, saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the captain speaking. Due to the current circumstances, obviously, that are unprecedented for us here at Emirates, we are aware that a number of passengers do not wish to travel with us, and that’s perfectly fine. All we ask is that if you wish to offload yourself, you do so.”

An Instagram user described the moment as “complete chaos,” adding that panic spread quickly after the visa announcement.

“President Trump signed an order affecting both new and existing H1B visa holders, creating panic among many—particularly Indian passengers—who even chose to leave the aircraft. As a result, I was stuck in the same spot for over three hours, waiting for the flight to depart,” the user wrote.

The incident highlighted the confusion sparked by Trump’s sudden move to impose a $100,000 fee on the H-1B visa—a work visa widely used by Indian professionals in the US tech sector.

The White House later clarified that the new fee would only apply to new H-1B applicants, not existing visa holders.

(With inputs from agencies)

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