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

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."
JP Morgan issued similar guidance to its global workforce, underscoring the disruption the policy is expected to cause.

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.