Tech Giants Warn H-1B Employees to Stay in US Amid Visa Fee Increase
In a move seen as a response to the White House's recent changes to H-1B visa applications, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have reportedly emailed their employees with H-1B visas, advising them to remain in the United States and avoid foreign travel for now.
According to Business Insider, which published memos from Amazon and Microsoft, the tech giants warned employees that if they are already traveling abroad, they should try to return before the new proclamation takes effect at 12:01am Eastern on Sunday. A similar memo was obtained by Sources, detailing Google's instructions to its H-1B holders.
"We're advising our employees with H-1B visas to stay in the US and avoid foreign travel for now," a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed, although they declined further comment. TechCrunch has reached out to Amazon and Google for confirmation.
The White House announced on Friday that President Donald Trump had signed a proclamation requiring employers to pay a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. A White House official told Axios that the fee will only apply to new applicants, not existing H-1B holders or renewals.
This development comes as government data shows Amazon employees have received the most H-1B visas so far this fiscal year, followed by Tata Consultancy Services, then Microsoft, Meta, and Apple, with Google ranked sixth. The tech industry has long relied on H-1B visas to bring in skilled workers from abroad.
"This move is likely a precautionary measure taken by these companies to ensure their employees can continue working in the US without any disruptions," said immigration attorney David H. Nachman. "However, it's unclear how this will affect existing employees with H-1B visas or those who are currently abroad."
The new proclamation has sparked concerns among tech industry leaders and experts, who argue that the increased fee will make it more difficult for companies to hire foreign workers.
"This is a major setback for the tech industry, which relies heavily on skilled immigrants to drive innovation and growth," said FWD.us President Todd Schulte. "We urge policymakers to reconsider this decision and find a solution that balances the need for immigration reform with the needs of American businesses."
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this will impact the tech industry's reliance on H-1B visas. With the new proclamation set to take effect in just hours, companies are bracing themselves for potential disruptions and changes to their workforce.
Background:
The H-1B visa program allows US employers to sponsor foreign workers with specialized skills for temporary work in the country. The program has been a contentious issue in recent years, with some arguing that it takes jobs away from American workers while others see it as essential for driving innovation and growth.
Additional Perspectives:
Immigration experts say the new proclamation could have far-reaching consequences for the tech industry, including increased costs and potential disruptions to business operations.
"This is not just a matter of dollars and cents; it's about the future of the US economy," said Nachman. "The tech industry is a driving force behind innovation and job creation in this country, and we need to ensure that we have the talent and resources to continue competing globally."
Current Status:
As the new proclamation takes effect, companies are advising their employees with H-1B visas to remain in the US and avoid foreign travel. The long-term implications of this development remain unclear, but one thing is certain: the tech industry will be closely watching the situation as it unfolds.
Next Developments:
In the coming days and weeks, expect further updates on how companies are responding to the new proclamation and its impact on their workforce. TechCrunch will continue to provide coverage of this story as more information becomes available.
*Reporting by Techcrunch.*
