Trump's surprise executive order hikes H-1B visa fees to $100,000, effectively barring foreign workers at tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and JPMorgan from re-entering the US after September 21st unless the fee is paid. Companies are urgently advising employees on H-1B and H-4 visas to remain in the country or expedite their return to avoid potential immigration issues
Tech giants Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and JPMorgan Chase issued urgent internal advisories to their H-1B visa holders following President Trump's executive order. The order significantly increases H-1B application fees, potentially preventing employees from re-entering the US after international travel. These companies advised employees on H-1B visas to remain in the country, highlighting the immediate impact of this new policy on their workforce
Trump's New Executive Order Slams H-1B Visas with $100,000 Fee: Effective September 21st, companies face a steep $100,000 fee per H-1B application or renewal. This impacts H-1B workers' ability to re-enter the US after traveling abroad, prompting urgent warnings from tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta to their employees. The deadline is September 21st, 12:01 a.m. ET
Urgent H-1B Visa Alert: Amazon, Microsoft, and Other Tech Giants Advise Employees to Stay in the US. Following a new executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications and renewals, companies are urging employees with H-1B or H-4 status to remain in the country or return before the September 21st deadline to avoid potential re-entry issues. This impacts thousands of workers, including nearly 15,000 at Amazon alone
Urgent: H-1B & H-4 Visa Holders Outside the US – Return Before September 21st Deadline. New executive order imposes significant re-entry fees
H-1B Visa Holders: Urgent Guidance on US Re-entry After New Executive Order. Amazon advises H-1B visa holders currently outside the US to return before the September 21st deadline. Those unable to return should postpone US re-entry until further notice. This follows a new executive order significantly increasing H-1B application fees
Amazon's reliance on H-1B visas: Federal filings reveal the company employed nearly 15,000 H-1B visa holders in fiscal year 2024, prompting urgent internal guidance following President Trump's executive order increasing H-1B fees
Amazon remained silent following Business Insider's request for comment on the new H-1B visa restrictions and their impact on its nearly 15,000 H-1B employees
Following Trump's surprise executive order dramatically increasing H-1B visa fees, Microsoft, Meta, and JPMorgan Chase swiftly instructed their employees on H-1B visas to remain in the US. This urgent internal guidance, mirroring similar advisories from Amazon, reflects the significant impact of the new $100,000 fee on H-1B visa holders' ability to travel internationally
Urgent H-1B Visa Guidance: Microsoft Advises US Employees to Remain in Country Following New Executive Order. Facing a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications and renewals, Microsoft has instructed its US-based visa holders to avoid international travel. Employees abroad are urged to return to the US before the September 21st deadline to prevent potential re-entry issues. This impacts H-1B and H-4 visa holders
H-1B Visa Holders: Urgent Guidance Following New Executive Order. The recent executive order's short timeframe may disrupt travel plans for H-1B visa holders. Companies advise employees to prioritize returning to the US before the September 21st deadline to avoid potential re-entry complications
Addressing H-1B Visa Holder Anxiety: Amidst new immigration restrictions, internal memos from tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and JPMorgan Chase urge employees on H-1B visas to remain in the US. While acknowledging the uncertainty caused by the increased $100,000 application fee, companies are prioritizing employee safety and advising against international travel until further guidance is issued
Microsoft declined to comment.
Following President Trump's new H-1B visa executive order, Meta and JPMorgan haven't commented on the directive impacting their employees. JPMorgan, the top financial sponsor of H-1B visas in 2023 (nearly 2,000, primarily for software engineers), faces significant challenges alongside other tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft
Trump's new executive order triggers urgent warnings for H-1B visa holders at major US tech companies. The $100,000 fee for H-1B applications and renewals, effective September 21st, forces tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Alphabet to scramble, impacting thousands of skilled engineers and developers crucial to their operations. This significant disruption highlights the tech sector's heavy reliance on foreign talent and the potential for widespread consequences
New $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee: Impact on Tech Workers & Employers. This significant increase in fees for both new and renewal H-1B petitions aims to restrict foreign worker hiring to only the most highly skilled individuals, encouraging companies to prioritize American worker training. The September 21st deadline necessitates immediate action for those currently abroad
“Either the person is very valuable to the company and America, or they’re going to depart and the company is going to hire an American,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said when the order was announced.
H-1B visas became a flash point before Trump’s second inauguration, with Elon Musk and other tech leaders close to Trump supporting the visa as other Trump backers voiced support for stricter rules.
Trump told the New York Post in December that he has “always liked the visas.”
“I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program,” Trump said.
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