Amazon, Google and Microsoft urged employees to urgently return to the U.S.

Major U.S. companies Amazon, Google and Microsoft have circulated internal memos to employees demanding that H-1B work visa holders who are outside the U.S. return to the country immediately. Starting at midnight on Sunday, September 21, 2025, new restrictions take effect: an additional $100,000 payment will be required to enter on an H-1B visa.

Context: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that imposes a $100,000 annual fee on applicants for the H-1B work visa program. Trump’s executive order addresses “abuses” of the H-1B work visa program. If the set fee of $100,000 is not paid by the applicant, entry into the country will be restricted. This is to ensure that companies hire more people domestically rather than bringing in foreign labor. In the case of IT industry, this law could be disastrous.

According to documents posted on social media, the companies acknowledge that there was little time to prepare and apologize for the late notice. At the same time, workers have been promised support and further clarification once the situation becomes clearer.

According to the documents posted on social media, the companies acknowledge that there was little time to prepare and apologize for the late notice.

The letters emphasize that all employees with H-1B visas and their family members in H-4 status already in the U.S. should refrain from international travel until specifically directed to do so. Because the new rules are framed as a border-crossing restriction, employees fear that when traveling abroad, it will be impossible to return without a hefty fee.

The letters emphasize that all employees with H-1B visas and family members already in the U.S. should refrain from international travel until specifically directed.

Memorandum leak

Microsoft in its notice, it refers to the text of the presidential proclamation «Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers». The document says that as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 21, 2025 (9:01 p.m. Pacific Time on Sept. 20), H-1B workers cannot enter the country in H-1B status without paying an additional $100,000 per petition.

The company says it plans to publish a form in the evening for employees overseas to promptly contact everyone and provide support when they return to the country. Microsoft notes that the restrictions only affect the H-1B visa, with other visa categories remaining unchanged. The company also clarified: the suspension of H-1B petition processing outside the U.S. does not affect extensions and changes of status within the country.

And the suspension of H-1B petition processing outside the U.S. does not affect extensions and changes of status within the country.

Google emphasizes in its memo that the proclamation is effective Sunday at 12:01 a.m. The company’s initial legal assessment says that returning to the U.S. after that time is only possible if a mandatory payment of $100,000 is made. Google says that would result in serious delays or even an inability to return to the country.

Employees are being given specific instructions: those in the U.S. are urged not to leave; those outside the country — try to return before the deadline. If unable to do so, Google advises seeking help through its internal support channel, go/immigration-help.

Amazon said in a statement that it is analyzing the provisions of the presidential proclamation, but for now the main point is clear: Starting Sept. 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time (9:01 p.m. 20), H-1B visa holders will not be able to enter the U.S. without paying $100,000.

The company recommends that all employees with H-1B visas and their dependents with H-4 visas who are in the U.S. remain in the country and not leave anytime soon. Those who are now abroad are advised to return immediately and clear U.S. customs before the restrictions expire. If this cannot be done, Amazon asks that you refrain from attempting entry until the new instructions are in place.

Amazon is asking that those who are in the U.S. refrain from attempting entry until the new instructions are in place.

Company Reaction

At the time of publication, Microsoft declined to comment publicly on the situation. Amazon and Google have also not yet provided official statements to the media.