**Washington:** Amid the looming implementation of US President Donald Trump’s overhaul of the H-1B visa program, tech giants Amazon and Microsoft have advised their foreign employees holding H-1B and H-4 visas to immediately return to the United States. Both companies have urged H-1B holders to stay in the US “for the foreseeable future,” according to internal communications obtained by Reuters.
In internal notes circulated to staff, Amazon encouraged H-1B visa holders currently in the United States to remain in the country. The company also advised those outside the US to return before the deadline of 12:00 AM EDT on September 21, when the Trump administration’s new rules are set to take effect.
“If you have H-1B status and are in the US, stay in the country for now,” Amazon stated in a note. “We recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US before 12:00 AM EDT on September 21.”
Similarly, Microsoft issued an internal email advising caution. The company stated that H-1B and H-4 visa holders should stay in the US for the foreseeable future and strongly recommended they return before the deadline.
“H-1B visa holders should stay in the US for the foreseeable future,” Microsoft said in its email. “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.”
These warnings come in response to President Trump’s new presidential proclamation titled *“Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.”* This proclamation imposes a USD 100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications and is effective starting September 21.
The administration states that the measure aims to combat widespread abuse of the H-1B program, particularly by IT outsourcing firms accused of displacing American workers and suppressing wages. The proclamation argues that the original purpose of the H-1B visa—to bring in highly skilled foreign talent—has been distorted. It claims that low-wage, entry-level H-1B hires have harmed American graduates.
Additionally, the proclamation highlights national security concerns, pointing to ongoing investigations into visa fraud and money laundering involving companies that rely heavily on the H-1B program.
According to the order, employers must now provide proof of payment when filing H-1B petitions. Enforcement will be overseen by the US Departments of State and Homeland Security. Limited exemptions will be available for cases deemed in the national interest.
*Disclaimer: This story is from the syndicated feed. Nothing has changed except the headline.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/return-to-us-tech-giants-amazon-microsoft-urge-h-1b-visa-holder-employees-to-come-back-amid-trumps-100k-overhaul-deadline
