Amazon has urged employees on H-1B and H-4 visas to remain in the United States following recent immigration developments. In a note reviewed by Reuters, the company stated, “If you have H-1B status and are in the US, stay in the country for now.”
The advisory also recommended that H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US before 12:00 a.m. EDT on September 21. The notice comes after similar alerts issued by Microsoft and JP Morgan.
Donald Trump Imposes $100,000 Fee For H-1B Visa Applications
The advisory follows US President Donald Trump’s proclamation on Friday, which imposes a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications. Speaking to reporters at the White House, US Commerce Secretary said the measure aims to “ensure US companies hire more American talent while sending less valuable foreign workers back to their home countries.”
Amazon issued travel advisory for tech workers outside US to return in the next 28hrs 😮#Amazon #h1bvisa pic.twitter.com/p21E22DeTQ
— Nani from Clura.ai (@nanifromclura) September 20, 2025
The H-1B visa, created by Congress in 1990, allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations who hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Typically granted for three years, the visa can be extended for an additional three years. Indians make up more than 70% of H-1B visa holders, making the new fee potentially impactful for the Indian diaspora in the United States.
President Trump Criticizes H-1B Visa Program
Trump’s proclamation specifies that the new rule will take effect from September 21 and remain in force for 12 months. After this period, the rule will expire unless renewed.
The President criticized what he described as “systemic abuse” of the H-1B visa program, particularly by IT outsourcing firms, calling the misuse a “national security threat.”
“Further, the abuse of the H-1B visa program has made it even more challenging for college graduates trying to find IT jobs, allowing employers to hire foreign workers at a significant discount to American workers,” the proclamation states.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
