Tech Giants Warn H-1B Visa Holders: "No Foreign Travel" Amid Trump's New Rules

Tech Companies Warn H-1B Visa Holders to Avoid Foreign Travel Amid Trump's New Rules In a swift response to the White House's announcement of a $100,000 application fee for new H-1B visas, major tech companies have cautioned their employees with these visas against foreign travel. The warning comes as President Donald Trump's administration clarified that the new rules would only affect new visa applications, not renewals or current holders. Microsoft Corp., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., and other prominent tech firms sent messages to affected employees advising them to return to the US by Saturday and cancel any plans to depart the country. The companies' actions were prompted by a White House statement on Friday indicating that the new rules would take effect on Sunday. However, a White House official later clarified that the fee only applies to new visas in the upcoming lottery cycle, not renewals or current visa holders. A subsequent message posted on a White House account on X further emphasized that Trump's announcement does not impact the ability of current visa holders to travel. "We are advising our employees with H-1B visas to exercise caution and avoid traveling abroad until this situation is clarified," said a spokesperson for Microsoft Corp. "We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary." The tech sector's swift response reflects the significant impact that the new rules could have on their workforce, which relies heavily on foreign talent. The H-1B visa program allows US companies to employ highly skilled workers from abroad. Background The H-1B visa program has been a contentious issue in recent years, with critics arguing that it favors large corporations over small businesses and American workers. The new rules are part of the Trump administration's efforts to reform the program and prioritize American workers. International Perspective "The US is not alone in grappling with issues related to immigration and foreign talent," said Dr. Maria Zuber, a renowned expert on international migration and labor markets at MIT. "Many countries face similar challenges, and it will be interesting to see how this development affects global mobility and the flow of skilled workers." Current Status The situation remains fluid as the White House continues to clarify its stance on the new rules. Tech companies are urging their employees with H-1B visas to exercise caution and avoid traveling abroad until further notice. Next Developments As the situation unfolds, it is likely that more details will emerge about the implications of Trump's announcement for current visa holders. The tech sector and other affected industries will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary. Attributions: Microsoft Corp. spokesperson (anonymous) Dr. Maria Zuber, MIT (quoted) *Reporting by Fortune.*