Amazon and Microsoft have instructed their employees holding H-1B and H-4 visas to promptly return to the United States. These instructions come in light of the upcoming changes to the H-1B visa program under President Donald Trump. Both companies have communicated these directives to their employees through internal channels, urging them to take immediate action.
Amazon’s internal communication advised H-1B visa holders currently in the U.S. to remain in the country, while those outside the U.S. were urged to return before the September 21 deadline at 12:00 AM EDT. The company’s note explicitly stated, “If you have H-1B status and are in the US, stay in the country for now,” and added, “We recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US before 12:00 AM EDT on September 21.”
Microsoft echoed this caution, issuing an internal email that recommended H-1B and H-4 visa holders stay in the U.S. for the foreseeable future. Microsoft’s email strongly recommended that all H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the U.S. before the deadline. Specifically, it stated, “H-1B visa holders should stay in the US for the foreseeable future,” and, “We also recommend H-4 visa holders remain in the US. We strongly recommend that all H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US by tomorrow, before the deadline.”
The companies’ advisories are prompted by President Trump’s new presidential proclamation, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” This proclamation introduces a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications. The administration aims to curb what it views as widespread misuse of the H-1B program, especially by IT outsourcing firms, which are accused of displacing American workers and suppressing wages. The changes are effective September 21.
The proclamation argues that the H-1B program has been diverted from its original intent of attracting highly skilled foreign talent. The administration claims that low-wage H-1B hires are detrimental to American graduates and has also raised national security concerns, referencing investigations into visa fraud and money laundering by companies heavily reliant on the program. The order requires employers to provide proof of payment when filing H-1B petitions, enforced by the US Departments of State and Homeland Security, with some exemptions for cases deemed in the national interest.