New Delhi : Tech giants Meta and Amazon have instructed H-1B and H-4 visa employees to avoid international travel and return to the United States immediately if they are abroad, as a new $100,000 visa fee rule takes effect on September 21.
Companies and immigration lawyers warn that skilled foreign workers and their families could get stranded abroad if they fail to re-enter the country before the rule comes into force. US President Donald Trump signed the order on Friday, imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions and supplements.
Media reports state that Amazon urged its US employees to stay in the country through internal emails until further information emerges. The company also told employees working abroad to return by Saturday midnight.
Meta issued similar instructions, advising H-1B and H-4 holders to remain in the US for at least two weeks and urging overseas employees to consider returning within 24 hours.
The abrupt fee increase has shocked the tech sector, which relies heavily on the H-1B program to hire skilled workers, many from India. Microsoft also circulated internal guidelines advising staff to avoid travel “for the foreseeable future.”
Immigration experts have criticised the decision, arguing that it effectively blocks foreign professionals unless companies pay an extremely high premium.
US employers may hire foreign nationals in “speciality occupations,” particularly in technology and engineering, through the H-1B visa program.
Trump’s proclamation has raised concerns across Silicon Valley and beyond, representing the program’s steepest cost increase in history.
With the deadline less than a day away, companies and employees are racing against time to avoid disruptions that could leave thousands separated from their jobs and families.
–IANS
