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The sweep change to the H-1B foreign workers visa scheme, which US tech groups rely on, hastily left the company over the weekend, preventing thousands of employees around the world from causing large new fees.
US President Donald Trump signed a declaration on Friday that would introduce a $100,000 application fee for visas, but he refused to clarify whether the changes would apply to existing H1-B holders.
Companies such as Amazon and Microsoft issued emergency guidance to employees, urging H-1B holders not to leave the country until new rules are clarified. They also asked staff to return to the US now overseas.
The two tech giants have approved more than 15,000 H-1B visas in their most recent fiscal year, according to the US Department of Homeland Security.
Amazon did not respond to requests for comment. Microsoft declined to comment.
JPMorgan, the largest US bank by assets, advised H-1B visa staff not to travel outside the US for now, according to anyone familiar with the issue. JPMorgan declined to comment.
Goldman Sachs said in a note to employees who hold a visa, “we should be careful about international travel.”
Fragomen, an immigration law firm that processes many H1-B visas, advised clients to return to the United States by Sunday on an approved H-1B petition or visa.
Saturday’s White House tried to clarify the scope of change amidst the chaos.
Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt confirmed that one-time fees apply only to new applicants, not current H1-B holders or updated individuals. She added that new fees will only start in the next cycle.
“People who already have an H-1B visa and are currently outside the country will not be charged $100,000 to re-enter,” she wrote to X.
“H-1B visa holders are allowed to leave and re-enter the country as usual.”
Her comments appeared to be different to those provided by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday. He said the fees apply annually.
Joseph Edlow, director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Agency, ordered staff on Saturday to “ensure immigration officers are consistent.”
A White House spokesman said the move was intended to encourage businesses to hire American workers and to give certainty to those who hire foreigners.
Last year, around 400,000 H-1B applications were approved, with the majority being made for people to renew their visas.
Silicon Valley relies heavily on H-1B visas to hire engineers, scientists and coders from overseas. Non-immigrant visas are also widely used by specialized industries, including accounting companies and healthcare companies.
Prominent members of Trump’s coalition have previously expressed support for the H-1B program, including his biggest donor, Elon Musk. But others, such as former White House strategist Steve Bannon, are calling for the plan to be abolished so that American workers are protected.
Garry Tan, CEO of Startup Incubator Y Combinator, said in a post on X that Trump’s decision was a mistake of “connecting startups,” representing a “large gift to all overseas technology hubs,” including Vancouver and Toronto, Canada.
“Along the way in the AI Arms Race, we’re telling builders to build elsewhere. We need American Little Technology, not a $1 million toll plaza,” Tan added.
Goldie Haider, chairman of Canada’s Business Council, said the country should “double the efforts we strive to attract the skilled workers we desperately need.”
Toronto-based Alex Tapscott, managing director of the digital assets group at NinePoint Partners, said changes to US visas will help Canada become a priority destination for global talent.
“The losses in America could be in Canada’s profits,” he said.
Indian citizens make up the majority of H-1B recipients. In a statement, the Indian Foreign Ministry said that the visa change “is likely to have humanitarian consequences from the disruption caused by families.”
“The government hopes that these disruptions can be properly addressed by US authorities.”
The ministry said the global talent exchange “has been a huge contribution to technological development, innovation, economic growth, competitiveness and wealth creation in the US and India.”
Late on Saturday, the Indian government advised all missions to expand all support to Indian citizens returning to the US in the next 24 hours or so.
