Microsoft Issues 24-Hour Warning to H-1B Employees After Trump’s $100,000 Visa Fee Hike

Tech giant Microsoft has issued an urgent advisory to its H-1B and H-4 visa employees, asking them to return to the US before September 21, following President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing a $100,000 annual fee per H-1B worker.

Microsoft’s Urgent Email

According to an internal email reviewed by Reuters:

• H-1B and H-4 visa holders currently abroad were told to fly back within 24 hours.
• Those already in the US were asked to remain there for the foreseeable future.
• The company “strongly recommended” employees act immediately before the new rules take effect.

This shows the sweeping impact of Trump’s sudden visa fee hike on global tech companies.

Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

• On September 19, Trump signed an executive order raising the annual sponsorship fee for H-1B visas to $100,000 per worker.
• The White House defended the move, calling H-1B one of the “most abused visa systems.”
• Officials said the fee ensures only “very highly skilled” workers are brought in.
• Trump claimed US companies would ultimately be “happy” with the change.

Why It Hits Indians Hard

• India accounts for 71% of all H-1B visa approvals.
• Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta hire thousands of Indian engineers each year.
• With the new fee, companies face skyrocketing costs. Smaller firms may cut back on hiring foreign workers.

In the first half of 2025 alone:

• Amazon & AWS secured 12,000+ visas.
• Amazon & AWS secured 12,000+ visas.
• Microsoft and Meta each obtained 5,000+ visas.

Commerce Secretary’s Statement

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said:

> “If you’re going to train somebody, train an American graduate. Stop bringing in people to take our jobs.”

This reflects the administration’s push for “Hire American” policies, even at the expense of global talent pipelines.

Citizenship Test Tightened

The Trump administration has also reintroduced a stricter citizenship test:

• Applicants must answer 12 out of 20 questions from a 128-question pool.
• Covers history, civics, and political knowledge.
• Previously rolled back by Joe Biden, it has now been reinstated.

Industry Concerns

• Microsoft’s urgent notice shows the uncertainty this policy creates.
• Indian IT workers, already facing Green Card backlogs, must now pay higher fees with each visa renewal.
• Companies fear the talent pipeline from India could slow down, affecting innovation.

Key Highlights

Policy	Change	Impact
H-1B Visa	$100,000 annual fee	Hits Indian tech workers hardest
Microsoft Advisory	24-hour return warning	Employees rushing back to US
Citizenship Test	128-question pool, stricter rules	Harder for immigrants
Indian Share	71% of all H-1B visas	Major setback for Indian talent

Pros & Cons of the Policy

Pros ✅	Cons ⚠️
Could reduce visa misuse	Excludes mid-level skilled workers
Generates US revenue	Huge cost burden on companies
Prioritises highly skilled talent	Indians hit hardest due to dominance in H-1B
Encourages hiring of Americans	Risk of talent drain away from US

Quick Takeaway

• Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee is shaking up the tech industry.
• Microsoft warns employees to return within 24 hours.
• Indians, who hold the majority of H-1Bs, face the biggest impact.
• Citizenship test also made tougher.
• Debate over jobs vs global talent intensifies in the US.

FAQs

Conclusion

Microsoft’s 24-hour warning shows just how disruptive Trump’s H-1B visa fee hike is for the global tech workforce. While the US government frames it as a way to protect domestic jobs, the policy risks alienating the very talent that fuels innovation in Silicon Valley.

For Indian professionals — the backbone of the H-1B program — the road to working in the US just became far more expensive and uncertain.

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