H1B clock is ticking: Microsoft, JP Morgan ask employees to return before new rules kick in

Microsoft, JP Morgan urge H-1B workers abroad to return to US before Trump's visa fee hike deadline

Tech giant Microsoft and financial powerhouse JP Morgan have issued urgent advisories to employees on H-1B and H-4 visas, urging them to return to the United States before President Donald Trump’s new visa fee rules take effect on September 21.

According to an internal email reviewed by Reuters, Microsoft on Saturday advised its visa-holding staff to come back to the US immediately, following Trump’s decision to impose a $100,000 annual surcharge on the H-1B program.

The company also told employees already in the US to remain there. The email read: "H-1B visa holders should stay in the US for the foreseeable future. Also recommend H-4 visa holders remain in the US. Strongly recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US tomorrow before the deadline."

⚡ BREAKING: Microsoft asks all its foreign staff to return to US by Sunday after Trump's H1-B bombshell:

Microsoft has urged its H-1B and H-4 visa employees to promptly return to the United States before the September 21 deadline. This follows President Trump's announcement of… pic.twitter.com/lcvvJNNEG6

— OSINT Updates (@OsintUpdates) September 20, 2025

Amazon has also circulated a similar advisory, cautioning its H-1B and H-4 staff against international travel for now. In a company note reviewed by Reuters, the e-commerce giant recommended that Indian and other foreign workers outside the US return before midnight EDT on September 21, following Trump’s executive order.

This comes after US President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation restricting the entry of H-1B visa holders and sharply increasing the application fee to $100,000, a move that could significantly affect Indian professionals.

Beginning at 12:01 am EDT on September 21 (9:31 am IST), H-1B workers cannot enter the US unless their sponsoring employers pay the new fee. The Departments of State and Homeland Security have been directed to reject petitions that do not comply with the measure set to remain in effect for at least 12 months.

(With agency inputs)