Big Tech and finance companies are telling H-1B employees to get to the US in under 24 hours

Employees at major tech and financial companies on H-1B visas were told to stay in the US following President Donald Trump's surprise executive order that makes it far more expensive — and potentially impossible — for them to return if they travel abroad.

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order requiring companies to pay a $100,000 fee for each H-1B application or renewal. The order, which takes effect on September 21 at 12:01 a.m. ET, effectively bars H-1B workers from reentering the country after that deadline unless their sponsoring employer pays the fee.

Amazon's internal guidance, posted just before 9 p.m. Pacific on Friday on its HR portal, warned employees: "If you have H-1B status and are in the US: Stay in the country for now, even if you have travel planned for the immediate future."

The guidance also said: "If you have H-1B or H-4 status and are outside the US: Try to return before tomorrow's deadline if possible."

Amazon's advisory added that anyone who cannot make it back in time should avoid attempting US reentry "until further guidance is provided."

Within hours of Trump signing the executive order, employees at Microsoft, Meta, and JPMorgan Chase received similar instructions, employees told Business Insider.

Multiple Microsoft employees shared an internal advisory with BI that directed visa holders in the US to stay put "for the foreseeable future" and advised those abroad to make every effort to return before the deadline. "We know this may interrupt your travel plans. But the critical thing is to stay in the US in order to avoid being denied reentry," the guidance said, according to five Microsoft employees.

It acknowledged that the sudden order "may not leave much time to make travel arrangements" but encouraged employees to "do your best to return."

The memo also sought to address workers' anxiety: "I know these developments are creating uncertainty for many of you. While we don't have all of the answers right now, we ask that you prioritize the recommendations above."