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Microsoft urges H-1B visa holders to stay in US after plans to apply $100,000 fee
Microsoft and Meta Platforms had over 5,000 H-1B visa approvals each, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services
- PUBLISHED: Sat 20 Sept 2025, 8:22 AM
Microsoft has advised H-1B and H-4 visa holders in the US to remain in the country for the foreseeable future, according to an email seen by Reuters.
This comes after a White House official was quoted as saying that US President Donald Trump plans to introduce a new $100,000 application fee for H-1B worker visas in an effort to reduce their use as part of his broader immigration crackdown.
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The Republican president was expected to sign a proclamation as early as Friday restricting entry under the H-1B visa programme unless the application fee is paid, the official said.
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Trump also planned to order changes to the prevailing-wage levels for the H-1B program as a way to limit their use, the official said.
In its email, Microsoft recommended that H-4 visa holders stay in the United States, while those holding H-1B and H-4 visas who are currently abroad should return to the US tomorrow, before the new fee regulation takes effect.
The H-1B programme has become critical for technology and staffing companies who rely on foreign workers to fill a variety of technical roles.
Amazon had over 10,000 H-1B visas approved in 2025, while Microsoft and Meta Platforms had over 5,000 H-1B visa approvals each, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.