Emirates A380 Flight Delay in San Francisco After New $100K H-1B Visa Fee Sparks Panic

DUBAI— An Emirates Airlines (EK) flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) was delayed for more than three hours after news of a $100,000 H-1B visa fee caused widespread panic among passengers.

The delay occurred on September 19 aboard Emirates flight EK226, operated by an Airbus A380, as travelers — many of them Indian nationals — requested to disembark following reports of President Trump’s new visa rule.

Photo: By byeangel from Tsingtao, China – A6-EDR | Emirates | Airbus A380-861 | ICN, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40388040

Emirates Flight Delay in SFO Amid Visa Fee

The 15-hour flight was scheduled to depart San Francisco (SFO) at 5:05 pm. Just before departure, unconfirmed details of the executive order began circulating, leading passengers to reconsider their travel plans, PYOK reported.

Emirates’ captain addressed the situation over the intercom, acknowledging that travelers who wished to leave would be allowed to do so.

With a significant portion of Indian nationals onboard — a group that represents more than 70% of current H-1B visa holders — the announcement created particular concern.

Passengers worried that the $100,000 visa requirement would block their return to the United States, prompting many to request immediate offloading.

Managing Passenger Offloading

Cabin crew and ground staff faced logistical challenges as dozens of passengers sought to leave the aircraft. This process caused the delay to extend well beyond three hours. Ultimately, Emirates EK226 did not depart until 8:45 pm, resulting in passengers being confined to the aircraft for more than 18 hours before arriving in Dubai.

While those who stayed gained extra space onboard, the disruption highlighted how quickly travel confidence can collapse in response to sudden policy changes.

Photo: Sam Chui Photos, Shared by Emirates

White House Justification for the New Visa Fee

President Trump defended the $100,000 H-1B visa fee, arguing that U.S. companies were abusing the system to replace American employees with cheaper foreign labor. The administration emphasized the technology sector as a key area where such practices allegedly occur.

Early rumors suggested the fee would apply not only to new applicants but also to existing visa holders returning to the U.S. from abroad, and even as an annual charge. The White House later dismissed these claims, clarifying that the payment is a one-time requirement for new applicants only.

Impact on Indian Nationals and the US Tech Industry

Given that Indian nationals account for the majority of H-1B holders, the new rule is expected to have a disproportionate impact on this community.

For many, the fee represents a prohibitive barrier, effectively shutting down the H-1B pathway.

Tech companies such as Microsoft have already advised employees to reconsider international travel, underlining the widespread uncertainty across the industry.

This development could reshape workforce strategies in Silicon Valley and beyond, as firms reconsider how to fill critical roles.

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