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New Delhi: As the Trump administration increased H-1B visa fees to USD 100,000 per annum, several tech giants, including Meta, Amazon and Microsoft, have urged their employees holding the visa to not leave the US, for at least 14 days. The US-based companies also sent emails to their employees who are residing outside America, to return to the country within 24 hours to avoid denial of re-entry.
Microsoft "strongly" asked its employees in the US to stay put to avoid denial of re-entry and advised the workers outside the country to "do best to return".
Meta also issued similar advisory to its H-1B visa holders, asking them stay in the US for at least two weeks, "till practical applications" are understood. Those residing outside the country have been asked to consider returning within 24 hours.
Amazon also asked its employees holding H-1B and H-4 visas to remain in the United States. In a note accessed by Reuters, the company said, “If you have H-1B status and are in the US, stay in the country for now.” The company also recommended H-1B and H-4 visa holders, presently residing outside the country, to return to the US before 12:00 am on September 21.
H-1B visa fee hike
US President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation imposing USD 100,000 annual fee for H-1B worker visa application. The move is likely to hit the technology sector that are mainly dependent on skilled foreign workers from India and China. H-1B visas are principally used by tech sector. The move is expected to significantly impact Indians who are hired by tech firms and others.
Last year, India accounted for 71% of approved beneficiaries of H-1B visa, emerging as the largest beneficiary, according to government data.
