U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he sits subsequent to a “Trump Gold Card” signal, within the Oval Workplace on the White Home in Washington, D.C., U.S., Sept. 19, 2025.
Ken Cedeno | Reuters
Main know-how firms and overseas governments are speeding to reply after President Donald Trump late Friday introduced plans to impose a $100,000 annual charge on H-1B visas, threatening to upend this system that underpins America’s know-how workforce.
The Trump administration mentioned the charge would apply per employee, per 12 months, probably dealing a large blow to firms — primarily within the know-how and finance sectors — that rely closely on extremely expert immigrants, significantly from India and China.
The announcement despatched shockwaves via company America. Amazon’s immigration workforce suggested its H-1B and H-4 visa holders to stay within the U.S. and for these abroad to return earlier than 12:01 a.m. ET on Sept. 21, in accordance with inside messages seen by CNBC.
JPMorgan Chase’s legislation agency despatched a memo asking H-1B visa holders on the agency to stay within the U.S. and keep away from worldwide journey till additional steerage, in accordance with an individual acquainted with the matter.
Microsoft additionally has reportedly suggested H-1B visa holders to stay within the U.S. and for these abroad to return, warning that worldwide journey may jeopardize their immigration standing, in accordance with emails seen by Reuters.
The transfer represents the administration’s most aggressive transfer but to limit authorized immigration. Since taking workplace in January, Trump has superior a broad crackdown on each unlawful and authorized entry into the U.S., however Friday’s announcement marks probably the most vital try and clamp down on employment visas.
Amazon employed probably the most H-1B holders — greater than 14,000 as of the top of June. Microsoft, Meta, Apple and Google had over 4,000 such visas every, among the many prime 10 recipients for the fiscal 12 months 2025.
CNBC has reached out to the entire public firms on the highest 10 H-1B recipient checklist for remark. The White Home did not instantly reply to an electronic mail asking for remark.
‘Humanitarian penalties’
The announcement additionally disrupted the established order abroad, the place overseas governments scrambled to evaluate the affect of the brand new guidelines on their nations.
India’s Ministry of Exterior Affairs mentioned it’s finding out the visa restrictions and their implications, stressing that each Indian and U.S. industries share an curiosity in sustaining competitiveness in innovation. It additionally highlighted the possible disruption to particular person households.
“This measure is prone to have humanitarian penalties by the use of the disruption brought about for households. Authorities hopes that these disruptions could be addressed suitably by the US authorities,” India’s Ministry of Exterior Affairs mentioned in a press release.
South Korea’s overseas ministry additionally mentioned it’s assessing the implications for Korean companies and expert staff.
Under is a searchable checklist of the highest 100 U.S. firms which have been H1-B recipients in fiscal 12 months 2025.
— CNBC’s Annie Palmer contributed to this report.