Amazon has urged its employees holding H-1B and H-4 visas to stay in the United States amid a major immigration policy change by the Trump administration. In an internal note reviewed by Reuters, Amazon said, “If you have H-1B status and are in the US, stay in the country for now.”
The company further advised, “We recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders to return to the US before 12:00 am EDT September 21.”
Amazon, Microsoft, JPMorgan issue travel warnings
This warning comes shortly after US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications. The rule will take effect on September 21 and remain in place for 12 months, though Trump could extend it.
Following the announcement, Microsoft sent a similar message to its employees, urging them to return to the US immediately. The company said, “We strongly recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US tomorrow before the deadline.”
JPMorgan’s external immigration counsel also advised employees to avoid international travel. According to Reuters, the bank has asked H-1B visa holders to stay within the country until further notice.
Trump administration cracks down on immigration
Since taking office in January, President Trump has launched strict measures targeting immigration, including some forms of legal immigration. His administration has focused on overhauling the H-1B visa program, which allows US companies to hire foreign workers for specialized roles, particularly in the technology sector.
The new executive order claims that some employers misuse the H-1B system to suppress wages and create unfair competition for American workers.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the move, 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.”
Lutnick explained that each H-1B visa would now cost $100,000 annually, covering a standard three-year term. However, he noted that final details are still under consideration.
Impact on tech sector and global talent
Currently, companies pay only a few thousand dollars in fees throughout the visa process, including a nominal fee to enter the lottery system. This dramatic increase is expected to hit the tech industry hard, as many companies rely heavily on skilled foreign workers.
According to US government data cited by Reuters, India received 71% of H-1B visa approvals last year, making it the largest recipient. China ranked second with 11.7%.
This move is seen as a major challenge for companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and JPMorgan, which depend on talent from countries such as India and China to fill crucial technical roles.