Following the Donald Trump administration’s new $100,000 H-1B visa charge announcement, many staff working overseas are being inspired to return to the USA by their employers. Memos from firms like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have leaked and are circulating on social media.
These memos instructed the staff working below H-1B visa at present travelling to instantly make it again to the US earlier than 12 am (GMT) on September 21. The memos additionally added apologies for the restricted warning offered and ensures to present extra steerage because the state of affairs evolves.
The memos suggested staff with H-1B visas and H-4 dependents at present within the nation to remain put and never journey overseas till additional discover. After these modifications have been set in movement, firms are nervous that any staff who are enrolled within the programme wouldn’t be allowed to return to the nation with out paying a $100,000 cost.
Karoline Leavitt, the White Home Press Secretary, took to X to attempt to reassure anxious staff and companies that they may proceed travelling usually and wouldn’t be charged the $100,000 upon entrance.
To be clear:
1.) That is NOT an annual charge. It’s a one-time charge that applies solely to the petition.
2.) Those that already maintain H-1B visas and are at present exterior of the nation proper now will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter.
H-1B visa holders can depart and re-enter the…
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) September 20, 2025
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Here’s what the memos say
Amazon
Amazonians,
We’ve reviewed the Presidential Proclamation on H-1B visas that was launched as we speak and are actively working to achieve larger readability. Right here’s what you should know proper now: The proclamation creates a journey restriction beginning September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT (9:01 p.m. PDT tomorrow). After this deadline, people can’t enter the US on H-1B standing with out an extra $100,000 cost related to their petition. Really useful actions so that you can take:
In case you have H-1B standing and are within the US : Keep within the nation for now, even when you have journey deliberate for the speedy future. We’ll proceed to supply updates as extra particulars can be found.
In case you have H-4 dependent standing: We additionally advocate you stay within the US , although the proclamation doesn’t particularly point out H-4 dependents.
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In case you have H-1B or H-4 standing and are exterior the US: Attempt to return earlier than tomorrow’s deadline if potential. We understand that is brief discover however returning quickly is advisable and you need to make each effort potential to clear US customs earlier than 12:00 a.m. EDT (9:00 p.m. PDT) on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Right now, when you have an H-1B or H-4 standing and are unable to return earlier than the deadline, we advise that you don’t try to enter the US till additional steerage is offered.
We’re reaching out with an pressing replace relating to worldwide journey for people on H-1B visas.
A Proclamation is scheduled to take impact this Sunday at 12:01 AM ET. It introduces important modifications to re-entry procedures for H-1B visa holders at present exterior the USA. We proceed to assessment the Proclamation, however the preliminary recommendation we have now acquired is that re-entry would require a compulsory cost of $100,000 per petition, which can trigger substantial delays or forestall re-entry to the US.
What You Must Know:
In case you are at present exterior the US :
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In case you are at present exterior the US with a legitimate H-1B visa, make plans to return and enter the US earlier than the Proclamation takes impact on Sunday, September 21 at 12:01 am ET (i.e. by this Saturday night time).
In case you are at present within the US :
We strongly advise towards any worldwide journey in case you are in legitimate H-1B standing or must journey to activate your H-1B visa. It’s best to stay within the US
Departing the US might end in problems or denial of re-entry below the brand new coverage.
In case you are unable to return previous to the deadline in H-1B standing: please attain out to go/immigration-help.
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We perceive this may occasionally create challenges, and we’re right here to assist you. We’re actively monitoring the state of affairs and can hold you up to date as we be taught extra.
Microsoft
IMPORTANT ADVISORY: New journey restriction for H-1B visa holders
Hello all–We’ve got now reviewed the precise textual content of as we speak’s Presidential Proclamation on H-1B visas, which yow will discover right here: Restriction on Entry of Sure Nonimmigrant Staff – The White Home.
Right here’s what you should know:
First, the proclamation is structured as a journey restriction. Starting at 12:01 am japanese time on September 21, 2025 (so, 9:01 pm Pacific time tomorrow), people won’t be able to enter/return to the US in H-1B standing except their petition has an extra $100,000 cost related to it.
What you should do:
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I shall be updating this submit later this night with a kind for folks to fill out if they’re at present exterior the US with an H-1B visa. We wish to have the ability to observe up with every particular person and supply assist and steerage as they attempt to return inside the subsequent 28 hours.
The proclamation doesn’t impression another visa statuses.
There’s different content material about the pause in processing H-1B petitions for people who’re exterior the US. Right now, we don’t interpret this to instantly impression extensions of H-1B standing or modifications of standing to H-1B so long as you’re at present within the US. We’ll share extra about that later.