Tech Giants Urge H-1B Visa Holders to Remain in the U.S.: Companies Respond to Trump’s Proposed Fee for New Visa Applications

Major tech corporations have advised employees holding H-1B visas to remain in the U.S., following President Donald Trump’s recent changes to H-1B visa application procedures, according to numerous media outlets.

On Friday, the White House revealed that Trump had signed an order mandating employers to pay a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. In response, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft reportedly sent emails to their employees holding H-1B visas, urging them to stay within the U.S. temporarily and abstain from foreign travel until the proclamation takes effect at 12:01am Eastern on Sunday. Employees currently traveling abroad are encouraged to return before the proclamation comes into force.

Business Insider obtained memos from Amazon and Microsoft, while Sources published a similar communication from Google. A representative from Microsoft declined to comment, and both Amazon and Google have been reached out to by TechCrunch for additional information.

Government data indicates that Amazon employees have received the highest number of H-1B visas so far this fiscal year, followed by Tata Consultancy Services, then Microsoft, Meta, and Apple, with Google ranking sixth.

A White House official informed Axios that the fee will only be applicable to new applicants, not existing H-1B holders or renewals. Additionally, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on X that “H-1B visa holders can leave and re-enter the country as they normally would; the ability to do so remains unaffected by yesterday’s proclamation.”

This article has been updated with a quote from Karoline Leavitt.