Amazon has sent a critical advisory to its employees holding H-1B and H-4 visas, recommending that they remain in the United States due to recent immigration developments. In an internal note reviewed by Reuters, the company stated, “If you have H-1B status and are in the US, stay in the country for now.” Furthermore, the tech giant urged these visa holders to return to the US before a looming deadline of 12:00 am EDT on September 21.
This advisory coincided with similar notices issued by other major corporations such as Microsoft and JP Morgan, following a proclamation signed by US President Donald Trump. The new regulation mandates a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, set to take effect on September 21 and potentially lasting for 12 months, with speculation that it may be extended.
Microsoft has echoed Amazon’s sentiments, imploring its H-1B and H-4 visa employees to return to the country before the upcoming deadline. According to internal communications, the company stated, “We strongly recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US tomorrow before the deadline.”
JPMorgan’s external immigration counsel has also advised H-1B workers to remain in the US and refrain from international travel until further notice. This recent communication reflects a broader immigration policy shift under the Trump administration, which has been marked by a crackdown on various forms of immigration, including legal pathways for highly skilled workers.
A central tenet of this initiative is the administration’s plan to overhaul the H-1B visa program, which allows US businesses to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields. The proposed fee of $100,000 per year for each H-1B worker has raised concerns within the technology sector, which heavily relies on talent from countries like India and China.
Data from last year highlights the significance of India in this context, with the country accounting for 71% of H-1B visa approvals, while China followed at 11.7%. The implications of these policy changes have sparked heated discussions, with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stating, “If you’re going to train somebody, you’re going to train one of the recent graduates from one of the great universities across our land. Train Americans. Stop bringing in people to take our jobs.”
The proposed new fee structure contrasts sharply with the current system, where applicants pay a nominal fee to enter the visa lottery. If selected, their additional costs over the visa duration amount to only a few thousand dollars. As companies prepare for the ramifications of these changes, the uncertainty surrounding the future of the H-1B visa program remains a pressing issue for many employees and their employers alike.
