The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, Sept. 25, advised Filipino H-1B visa holders to avoid traveling outside the United States for now amid the new rules on the $100,000 application fee as announced by the Trump administration.
Filipino H-1B visa holders advised to avoid travel outside US for now
A detail of an H-1B visa stamp on a passport. (Evgenia Parajanian/Getty Images)
“The recent proclamation restricting the entry of certain nonimmigrant workers to the United States has raised understandable concern among our kababayans,” the DFA said in its statement.
“We strongly advise our kababayans on H-1B visas to avoid unnecessary travel outside of the US for the time being, until the rules on re-entry are fully clarified,” it added.
However, if travel outside the US is unavoidable, the DFA advised Filipino workers there to consult their employers first as they may be asked to shoulder additional costs for their employees’ re-entry into the country.
According to the DFA, Filipino workers account for only 1.3 percent of all H-1B visa holders “and those already in the US will not be affected by this measure.”
It also assured Filipinos that the Philippine Embassy in Washington and the Consulates General in the US are monitoring the developments of the new measure.
“We remain ready to provide guidance and assistance to our Filipino community as needed,” the DFA said.
Last week, the Trump administration announced that it’s imposing a one-time $100,000 H-1B visa application fee for new applicants.
The announcement caused confusion and stunned industries in the US that are heavily reliant on foreign talents.