'Return To US Within 24 Hours, Don't Leave': Meta, Microsoft To H-1B Visa Holders

US President Donald Trump and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

On Saturday morning, technology giants including Meta and Microsoft quickly moved to advise their H-1B visa holder employees to remain within the United States for at least 14 days, following President Donald Trump's renewed immigration crackdown and restrictions on legal immigration pathways.

Internal communications reviewed by NDTV Profit reveal that these corporations also strongly encouraged employees currently outside the US to return within 24 hours to avoid potential re-entry complications.

The communications instructed foreign employees to adhere to these guidelines for the "foreseeable future" as the situation develops.

Meta specifically directed its employees holding H-1B visas and those with H4 dependent status to remain in the United States for a minimum of two weeks, "till practical applications" of the new policies become clearer, while urging those abroad to consider immediate return within a 24-hour window.

Microsoft took a similar approach, "strongly" advising its international workforce currently in the US to avoid international travel to prevent re-entry complications, while encouraging those outside US borders to "do best to return" promptly.

The H-1B visa program is specifically designed for individuals employed in specialized occupations, predominantly in the technology sector. These positions typically include software engineers, technology program managers, and various IT professionals. These visas initially provide three years of work authorization and can be extended for an additional three-year period.

President Trump dramatically increased the annual fee for H-1B visas to $100,000 on Friday – a policy change expected to significantly impact Indian professionals who constitute a large percentage of high-tech foreign workers employed by American companies.

During the proclamation signing ceremony at the White House, Trump stated that the "incentive is to hire American workers." The administration explained that this measure aims to protect domestic employment while maintaining pathways for companies to recruit "truly extraordinary people" for positions in the United States.

If these policy changes withstand legal challenges, they will implement substantial fee increases. The skilled worker visa fee would surge from the current $215. Similarly, investor visa fees, which are common in many European countries, would increase significantly from $10,000-$20,000 annually.

The administration also introduced a new Gold Card visa program, featuring Trump Gold Card and Trump Platinum Card for individuals, along with a Trump Corporate Gold Card for businesses. These new visa categories offer exclusive benefits and are intended to replace employment-based visas that previously provided pathways to citizenship for professors, scientists, artists, and athletes.

According to government data, India was the primary beneficiary of H-1B visas last year, representing 71% of approved applicants, while China ranked second with a significantly smaller share at 11.7%.