Tech companies are bracing for new restrictions on U.S. work visas that take effect at midnight, leaving thousands of foreign workers scrambling to adjust plans. The sudden policy shift has already triggered urgent memos from Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, advising employees on how to navigate the changes.
According to leaked documents circulating on social media, the companies have urged any H-1B visa holders currently abroad to return to the U.S. before 12 AM ET on Sunday, September 21. Employers acknowledge the short notice and have apologized, promising further guidance as details become clearer.
The memos also include instructions for those already in the U.S. Workers holding H-1B visas and their H-4 dependents are being advised not to travel outside the country until further notice. Since the new restrictions function as a travel ban tied to the H-1B program, companies fear reentry could be denied unless a $100,000 fee is paid at the border.
The full leaked memos are mentioned below:
Amazon:
Leaked memo from Amazon that warns existing H1B holders to avoid travel back into the USA after the September 21st deadline – their lawyers evaluated the new executive order as not just affecting new applications https://t.co/cLmegSu1a9 pic.twitter.com/uaGUwVSKyP[1][2]
— Simon Willison (@simonw) September 20, 2025[3]
Microsoft:
With alt-text
— River_Tam (@rivertam.bsky.social) September 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM[5][6]
Google:
References
- ^ https://t.co/cLmegSu1a9 (t.co)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/uaGUwVSKyP (t.co)
- ^ September 20, 2025 (twitter.com)
- ^ [image or embed] (bsky.app)
- ^ @rivertam.bsky.social (bsky.app)
- ^ September 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM (bsky.app)
- ^ Read on Substack (sources.news)