US companies have immediately responded after the government imposed an annual $100,000 fee for H-1B visas starting 21st September.
Microsoft, Amazon and JP Morgan have told employees to not leave the US if they’re on an H1B visa. “H-1B visa holders should stay in the US for the foreseeable future,” Microsoft said in an email to employees. “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,” it added.
JP Morgan advised impacted employees to avoid international travel. “H-1B visa holders who are currently in the U.S. should remain in the U.S. and avoid international travel until the government issues clear travel guidance,” read an email sent to JPMorgan employees by Ogletree Deakins, a company that handles visa applications for the U.S. investment bank.
These companies seem to be advising employees to stay put in the US amid uncertainty around whether — and under what conditions — they’ll be allowed to return if they leave. The US visa rule is set to be applied after 12:01 am on 21st September, which means that based on how the rule is interpreted, H-1B employees could be prevented from entering the US, or their employees could be made to pay $100,000 to secure their return. Top companies seem to be responding by asking employees to not leave the country, or return immediately if they’re outside US shores.
And none of the top companies seem to have voiced any opposition to the new ruling. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, while speaking at an Oval Office event with the president, had confirmed that major firms were consulted in advance. “A hundred thousand dollars a year for H-1B visas, and all of the big companies are on board. We’ve spoken to them,” Lutnick had said. This indicates that top firms were in the know that such a move was in the offing, and asking their employees to not leave the country seems to be the best idea they have at the moment to navigate these new changes.