You read news about major tech firms sending internal memos after a Presidential proclamation changed re-entry rules for certain visa holders. Companies urged impacted staff to avoid travel and to return before the deadline that began at 12:01 AM ET on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
The guidance explained how the proclamation tied a new fee and re-entry process to h-1b visa petitions. If you had travel plans, you were told to reconsider them and check your status with company immigration teams.
Messages from Amazon, Google, and Microsoft offered support desks and forms for individual cases. You were given practical next steps to avoid disruption and protect your work authorization while agencies clarified details.
Key Takeaways
- The proclamation created an urgent deadline that prompted immediate corporate advisories.
- You should review your visa and travel plans now and contact immigration help if abroad.
- The fee and re-entry rules could affect your ability to return, so track official updates.
- Companies provided contingency support like case forms and hotlines for quick help.
- Act fast on timing: landing before the stated cutoff was the main actionable step.
What changed and why it matters right now
A proclamation set a sharp cutoff that changed re-entry rules and added a high assessment tied to certain petitions. The measure will take effect at 12:01 AM ET on Sunday, September 21, 2025, creating immediate urgency around timing.
The new policy targets h-1b visa entries and can impute a $100,000 fee to the underlying petition. Employers called this a travel restriction on re-entry for affected holders, while noting in-country extensions and changes of status looked largely unchanged.
White House messaging tried to calm people by saying current holders wouldn’t be charged, but companies urged caution because legal details remain unsettled. If you are currently outside the united states, you should make plans now and confirm your status and ticketing before you move.
Small timing differences across time zones can change whether you clear the deadline. Review petition documents, consult counsel, and avoid travel until you know how the changes affect your visa and team.
Amazon, Google, Microsoft reportedly warn H-1B employees to stay in the US
Leaked memos pushed h-1b visa holders currently outside to rush back and beat a strict cutoff set for 12:01 AM ET on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
The notes told visa holders currently outside united states to make plans now. If you are outside, book the fastest itinerary you can and confirm arrival time against the tomorrow deadline.
Those already in-country were asked to avoid travel until an update arrives. Memos also pointed you to an internal email or help team for urgent cases and promised a form for anyone needing individualized support.
The advisories advised gathering documents, boarding confirmations, and any proof of status to ease re-entry screening. Companies flagged H-4 family concerns and urged the most conservative plan for workers with dependents.
What you should do if you’re an H-1B or H-4 worker
If your visa status ties you to a U.S. employer, act now to protect travel plans and maintain lawful status.
First, pause nonessential international travel. Employers advised those already stateside to avoid trips, and dependents were also recommended to remain until guidance clears up.
If you can still return U.S. before the cutoff, book the fastest route and keep backups. Carry a small packet: petition approvals, pay stubs, an employment letter, and recent boarding passes to ease any re-entry questions.
If you are unable return before the deadline, contact your company immigration support immediately. Explain your itinerary, attach tickets and ID pages, and request case management for exceptions.
For h-1b h-4 households, coordinate plans with your manager and counsel. Scripting a short message helps: expected return date, status notes, and any project impacts.
Finally, use a checklist: confirm airline timing, document copies, counsel contact, and a pause on nonessential travel. These steps protect your h-1b status and reduce uncertainty while agencies and firms sort next steps.
The policy backdrop: proclamation, deadline, and who is affected
A recent proclamation changed re-entry rules and added a high payment requirement tied to certain petitions. It was set to take effect at 12:01 AM ET on September 21, 2025, and that effect Sunday deadline created immediate timing pressure for many visa holders.
The rule introduces an annual fee concept and flagged a possible $100,000 payment linked to some h-1b visas used for re-entry. Agencies and firms debated whether the assessment applies broadly, and interpretations could shift as guidance arrives.
The White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said current holders would not face the new charge and could travel normally. Despite that, employers issued conservative memos and prepared help channels for people who are holders currently outside united states.
Who is most affected? Primarily u.s. h-1b travel use — visa holders aiming to re-enter close to the cutoff and h-1b h-4 family members. If you might travel, treat timing and documentation as critical and keep contact info for your immigration help handy.
What to watch next as agencies and companies update guidance
Keep an eye on formal notices and your inbox for new details about timing, fees, and re-entry rules. Companies will post updates on immigration portals, legal email aliases, and HR bulletins that matter most for your h-1b status.
If you are currently outside united and cannot return before the tomorrow deadline, send a concise email to counsel with flight history, petition documents, and valid h-1b evidence. That will help teams build case-by-case options.
Track time zones and airline delays closely. Pause nonessential international travel while agencies issue clarifying changes, keep key documents ready, and follow internal channels for the next update.