Amazon, Microsoft, JPMorgan ask H-1B, H-4 employees to stay in US ahead of Trump’s $100,000 visa fee rule
PTC Web Desk: Global tech and financial giants are urging employees on H-1B and H-4 visas to remain in the United States as the Trump administration prepares to impose a hefty new visa fee.
According to a note accessed by Reuters, Amazon has advised its H-1B staff to avoid international travel, stating: “If you have H-1B status and are in the US, stay in the country for now.” The company further recommended that all H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US before 12 am EDT on September 21.
The advisory comes in response to US President Donald Trump’s proclamation signed on Friday, introducing a $100,000 annual fee for each H-1B visa application, effective September 21 and set to last for 12 months.
Following Amazon’s directive, Microsoft also issued a strong advisory to its employees, saying: “We strongly recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US tomorrow before the deadline.” Meanwhile, JPMorgan’s external immigration counsel has also urged visa holders to remain in the country and avoid overseas travel until further notice.
This development is part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown since taking office in January. The administration has consistently pushed to restrict both legal and illegal immigration, with a particular focus on overhauling the H-1B programme, which enables US companies to hire foreign talent in specialised fields such as technology, finance, and engineering.
The new fee structure poses a significant challenge for America’s tech sector, which heavily depends on foreign professionals, particularly from India and China. Indians alone account for over 70% of H-1B visa holders, making them the most affected group by the policy shift.
Defending the move, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed Trump’s stance, saying, “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.”
Industry experts warn that the steep fee could deter companies from sponsoring skilled professionals, impacting innovation and competitiveness in the US economy.
- With inputs from agencies
