US firms recall workers after H-1B visa fee hike:Microsoft, Meta, Amazon ask staff to return by Sept 21; many Indian staffers deboard planes

The United States has announced a steep hike in fees for H-1B visas, imposing an annual charge of $100,000 (approximately ₹88 lakh) per application. The new rule, signed by President Donald Trump at the White House on September 19, will come into effect from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on September 21, 2025. The order, which also applies to H-4 dependents, has sent shockwaves across the technology and financial sectors, prompting companies such as Microsoft, Meta, JP Morgan, and Amazon to issue urgent advisories to their foreign employees. Tech Firms Issue Immediate Alerts Microsoft and Meta were among the first to notify their workforce. According to Reuters, in an internal email sent on Saturday, Microsoft advised employees holding H-1B and H-4 visas to return to the United States “by the September 21 deadline.” Meta issued a similar advisory, cautioning staff to avoid international travel. Financial services giant JP Morgan also directed its employees on foreign assignments to remain in the US, while Amazon instructed its international staff to return before midnight EDT on September 21. The e-commerce company further warned employees to suspend overseas travel temporarily. Message to employees from Microsoft Travel Disruptions and Panic Among Indians The sudden policy change triggered panic among Indian travelers. On a San Francisco–India flight, several passengers requested to disembark after boarding, fearing re-entry issues under the new rules. A similar incident occurred on a Dubai–US flight, where passengers opted to remain behind. Airfares on India–US routes surged almost overnight. A one-way ticket from Delhi to New York, previously priced around ₹37,000, jumped to between ₹70,000 and ₹80,000. The timing has left many Indian IT professionals stranded in their home country, having traveled for festivals or vacations. Rising Costs for Employers and Employees The H-1B visa, widely used by Indian tech professionals, is set to become prohibitively expensive. Previously, a three-year visa cost around ₹5 lakh, renewable for another three years. Under the new rules, a six-year stay will cost about ₹5.28 crore, more than 50 times higher than before. The US government issues 85,000 H-1B visas annually, with Indians accounting for nearly 72 percent of recipients. Industry experts estimate that more than 300,000 Indian workers could be directly impacted by the fee hike. Industry Concerns and Global Implications Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Cognizant, and HCL are among the top sponsors of H-1B visas. With the sharp rise in costs, analysts predict a talent shift toward alternative destinations such as Canada, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. For U.S. companies, the new surcharge presents a significant cost burden, particularly for those dependent on global tech talent. Firms are now weighing strategies to absorb the expenses or restructure their hiring models. Advisory for Visa Holders Experts recommend that H-1B and H-4 visa holders currently outside the United States immediately coordinate with their employers’ HR departments and return before the September 21 deadline. Failure to do so could prevent re-entry under the new fee structure. The rule will remain in force for at least the next 12 months, with strict enforcement directed by the Departments of State and Homeland Security.