India, Sept. 20 -- The massive $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas will apply only to new applicants, not to renewal cases, a US official has clarified to HT after confusion persisted over President Donald Trump's shocker to high-skilled workers on this visa, most of the Indians, on Saturday.

Further allaying fears, the official also said there is no need for H-1B holders who are outside the US at present to rush back by Sunday, when the new rule kicks in, as they won't be impacted or be asked to pay $100,000 to re-enter the country.

These two clarifications addressed key questions that have sparked fears among the visa holders - over 70% of them Indians - further setting airfares on fire.

There were also reports of Indians who had just ...