Why I gave up on getting an H-1B visa

In September 2025, President Trump set in motion a change that would throw the H-1B visa application process into disarray.

His proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions changed the immigration landscape for employers, employees, and visa hopefuls alike.

Indian national Shreya Mishra Reddy graduated from Duke University in 2022 with a master’s in engineering management.

She had set her sights on working and living in the US.

But after learning that potential employers would have to pay a $100,000 fee to hire her, she pivoted.

Since last September, Business Insider has been interviewing people who have borne the brunt of the chaos, including those who have applied for visas and are debating whether to stay in the US.

Others have opted to tap out of the system altogether.