Big Tech and finance companies are telling H-1B employees to get to the US in under 24 hours

"Employees at major tech and financial companies on H-1B visas were told to stay in the US following President Donald Trump's surprise executive order that makes it far more expensive - and potentially impossible - for them to return if they travel abroad. Amazon, Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Meta are among those companies, per employees and internal communications reviewed by Business Insider. On Friday, Trump signed an executive order requiring companies to pay a $100,000 fee for each H-1B application or renewal. The order, which takes effect on September 21 at 12:01 a.m. ET, effectively bars H-1B workers from reentering the country after that deadline unless their sponsoring employer pays the fee."

"Amazon's internal guidance, posted just before 9 p.m. Pacific on Friday on its HR portal, warned employees: "If you have H-1B status and are in the US: Stay in the country for now, even if you have travel planned for the immediate future." The guidance also said: "If you have H-1B or H-4 status and are outside the US: Try to return before tomorrow's deadline if possible." Amazon's advisory added that anyone who cannot make it back in time should avoid attempting US reentry "until further guidance is provided.""

An executive order signed by President Trump requires companies to pay a $100,000 fee for each H-1B application or renewal, effective September 21 at 12:01 a.m. ET. The fee effectively prevents H-1B workers from reentering the US after that deadline unless their sponsoring employer pays. Major tech and financial firms including Amazon, Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Meta issued internal advisories instructing H-1B and H-4 visa holders in the US to stay put and urging those abroad to return before the deadline if possible. Amazon employed nearly 15,000 H-1B workers in fiscal 2024, according to filings.

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