Meta, Microsoft order H-1B holders back to US
Meta, Microsoft Urge H-1B Workers to Stay in US Amid Trump Crackdown
In a move that sent shockwaves through the tech industry, major companies including Meta and Microsoft issued urgent advisories to their employees on H-1B visas, urging them not to leave the United States following President Donald Trump’s fresh crackdown on immigration.
On Saturday morning, the two tech giants went into crisis mode after the White House unveiled sweeping new measures that limit legal immigration and raise visa fees to record levels. Internal emails accessed by NDTV Profit revealed the extent of corporate anxiety, with executives warning employees that travel outside the U.S. could jeopardize their ability to return.
**‘Return within 24 hours’**According to the directives, H-1B visa holders and those on H-4 dependent status were told to avoid international travel “for the foreseeable future.” Employees currently outside the United States were urged to return within 24 hours to avoid the risk of being denied re-entry at airports.
Meta’s email to staff stressed caution, advising all H-1B and H-4 workers to remain in the U.S. for at least two weeks, until the practical details of the new immigration rules became clearer. “We recommend you do not leave until the situation stabilizes,” the message read.
Microsoft, taking an even stronger stance, “strongly advised” foreign employees already in the country to stay put. For those abroad, the company asked them to “do your best to return” before the restrictions are fully enforced.
**The cost of visas skyrockets**At the heart of the crisis is the Trump administration’s decision to dramatically raise visa fees. The cost of an H-1B visa for skilled workers — which has long been a lifeline for Indian IT professionals and engineers — would leap from \$215 to \$100,000 annually if the new rules survive legal scrutiny.
Investor visas, which are commonly used by entrepreneurs in Europe and Asia, would also see fees jump from \$10,000–\$20,000 a year, making it significantly harder for foreign investors to enter or remain in the U.S.
**The Trump ‘Gold Card’ programme**Alongside the fee hikes, the White House announced the launch of a new Gold Card visa programme, a three-tier system that aims to replace existing employment-based visas which historically offered pathways to permanent residency.
The programme includes:
- Trump Gold Card and Trump Platinum Card for individuals of “extraordinary ability” such as professors, scientists, artists, and athletes.
- Trump Corporate Gold Card for businesses willing to sponsor top-tier talent.
These cards, however, come with steep price tags and are designed to generate significant revenue for the U.S. Treasury. Trump has pitched the system as a way to “attract the best and brightest” while reducing overall immigration numbers.
**Uncertainty for thousands**For now, the new rules have left thousands of foreign tech workers in limbo. Companies like Meta and Microsoft — heavily reliant on skilled immigrant labour — fear losing valuable employees if they are trapped outside the country.
The sudden urgency in their emails underscores the atmosphere of uncertainty. As one HR executive put it privately, “It’s not just about fees anymore. It’s about whether our people can safely stay here, work here, and plan their futures here.”
For H-1B holders, many of whom have spent years building lives in the U.S., the message is clear: don’t leave — at least not right now.