Tech Giants Urge H-1B Visa Holders to Stay in US Amid Trump’s New Immigration Restrictions

In response to President Donald Trump’s latest immigration crackdown, major tech companies, including Meta and Microsoft, issued urgent directives on Saturday, advising their H-1B visa holders to remain in the United States for at least two weeks and those abroad to return within 24 hours to avoid potential re-entry issues.

According to reports, the companies emphasised compliance “until further clarity” on the new policies is available. Meta instructed its H-1B and H-4 visa holders to stay in the U.S. for at least 14 days to assess the practical implications of the changes, urging those currently overseas to return within a day. Microsoft similarly directed its U.S.-based H-1B employees to avoid international travel to prevent re-entry denials and encouraged those abroad to make immediate arrangements to return.

The H-1B visa program, designed for professionals in specialised fields like software engineering and IT, allows foreign workers to stay in the U.S. for three years, with the possibility of a three-year extension.

On Friday, President Trump signed a proclamation raising the annual H-1B visa fee to $100,000, a sharp increase from the previous $215, aiming to prioritise American workers while ensuring access to “exceptional talent.”

The administration also introduced the “Trump Gold Card” and “Trump Platinum Card” programs for individuals and a “Trump Corporate Gold Card” for businesses, offering exclusive privileges and replacing certain employment-based visa categories that provide pathways to citizenship for professionals like scientists and artists.

The fee hike, if upheld legally, significantly raises costs for companies, with investor visa fees also climbing from $10,000–$20,000 annually. India, which accounted for 71% of H-1B visa approvals last year compared to China’s 11.7%, will be particularly affected, as tech firms heavily rely on Indian talent.