Amid Trump’s $100,000 visa fee, Amazon warns H-1B workers: ‘Do not leave the country now’

New Delhi/Washington, Sept 20 – Tech giant Amazon has issued a strong advisory to its employees holding H-1B and H-4 visas, urging them to remain in the United States amid the latest immigration measures announced by the Trump administration.

In a note seen by Reuters, Amazon said:

“If you have H-1B status and are in the US, stay in the country for now. We recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders to return to the US before 12:00 am EDT Sept 21.”

Microsoft and JPMorgan Join Advisory

Amazon’s warning follows similar alerts by Microsoft and JPMorgan, which have both advised their employees on H-1B and H-4 visas to return before the deadline and avoid international travel.

• Microsoft stated: “We strongly recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US tomorrow before the deadline.”

• JPMorgan’s external immigration counsel suggested H-1B holders stay in the US and suspend international travel “until further notice.”

Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Fee Rule

The advisory wave comes after US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Friday imposing a $100,000 annual fee per H-1B visa application. The rule takes effect on September 21 for a 12-month period, with the possibility of extension.

Trump argued that the H-1B program has been exploited by some employers to suppress wages, putting American workers at a disadvantage.

“Train Americans. Stop bringing in people to take our jobs,” said US Commerce Secretary Howard W. Lutnick, defending the administration’s move.

Impact on India and China

The decision poses significant challenges for the technology sector, which relies heavily on skilled workers from India and China.

• India accounted for 71% of all H-1B visas granted last year.

• China was second with 11.7% approvals, according to US government data cited by Reuters.

Currently, H-1B applicants pay a nominal lottery fee and additional charges totaling only a few thousand dollars. The sharp jump to $100,000 per year for a three-year term represents an unprecedented barrier for both workers and employers.

Immigration Crackdown Intensifies

Since taking office, Trump has rolled out a series of measures to curb even legal immigration, with H-1B reform at the center of his policy. This latest move has raised uncertainty and concerns for thousands of professionals already working or planning to work in the US.

👉 Conclusion: With Amazon, Microsoft, and JPMorgan all issuing urgent advisories, H-1B and H-4 visa holders are now caught in a wave of uncertainty. As the deadline looms, companies and employees alike are bracing for the financial and logistical impact of Trump’s visa overhaul.