US companies recall workers with H-1B visas: Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon ask them to return by tomorrow; several Indian employees disembark.
The United States will now charge an annual application fee of $100,000 (approximately 8.8 million rupees) for H-1B visas. Following this decision, American tech companies Microsoft, Meta, financial company JPMorgan, and e-commerce giant Amazon have advised their foreign employees to return to the United States immediately.
President Donald Trump signed an order at the White House on September 19th, imposing an annual surcharge of $100,000 (approximately 8.8 million rupees) on H-1B visas. These new charges will take effect on September 21st.
Previously, an H-1B visa cost an average of 500,000 rupees. It was valid for three years and could be renewed for another three years. Now, an H-1B visa in the US will cost 52.8 million rupees over six years, increasing the cost by more than 50 times.
This will directly impact 300,000 Indians.
The US government issues 85,000 H-1B visas through a lottery every year, which are mostly used for tech jobs. Indians (72%) are the largest users. Now, the visa fee hike will directly impact more than 300,000 Indians.
Microsoft’s Message to Employees
According to Reuters, Microsoft sent an internal email to its employees on Saturday, urging H-1B and H-4 visa holders to return to the US immediately. Meta has also issued a similar alert to employees.
Microsoft stated, “H-1B visa holders should remain in the US for the next few days. H-4 visa holders are also advised to do the same. We recommend that both visa holders arrive in the US by Sunday, before the September 21st deadline.”
JP Morgan and Amazon also sent alerts
JP Morgan also issued a similar alert to its global employees. The company has advised its H-1B and H-4 visa holders to remain vigilant and remain in the United States.
Amazon has also warned its employees to return to the United States before 12:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (9:31 a.m. Indian time) on September 21st. Amazon has advised Indian and other foreign employees to avoid international travel for the time being.
