JPMorgan Chase has issued an urgent advisory to its H-1B visa holders currently outside the United States, asking them to return before the September 21 deadline. This follows a dramatic new policy from the US government, which imposes a $100,000 annual fee for each H-1B visa worker—a steep increase from previous rates. The bank’s external immigration counsel warned employees residing in the US to avoid international travel until further notice. The directive has triggered widespread concern among tech professionals and Indian IT firms, which heavily rely on H-1B visas to deploy engineers and developers on US projects. Companies including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Infosys, Wipro, and TCS, are urgently reassessing strategies to comply with the unprecedented fee increase.
JPMorgan’s response to the visa fee hike
JPMorgan’s advisory underscores the immediate pressure on employees abroad, instructing them to return to the US before the fee deadline to avoid facing the $100,000 annual charge. Employees currently in the US on H-1B visas have been advised to postpone any international travel until further notice. The bank’s move reflects an effort to ensure operational continuity, reduce legal exposure, and maintain workforce stability amid the new immigration rules. Internal sources indicate that JPMorgan is coordinating closely with immigration counsel to navigate the complex compliance landscape, ensuring that visa holders can continue working on critical US projects without disruption. This proactive approach also signals to other financial institutions the urgency of addressing the fee hike immediately.
Impact on Indian IT firms and tech giants
Indian IT companies are among the hardest hit, as they account for a majority of H-1B visa holders in the US—71% of approvals go to Indian nationals, followed by China at 11.7%. Companies such as Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) face operational and financial pressure due to the new $100,000 annual fee, which could drastically increase the cost of sending engineers to the US for client projects. In addition to the financial burden, the fee hike complicates workforce planning, recruitment, and deployment strategies. Many firms are now evaluating alternative solutions, including remote work, client-side training in India, and renegotiation of contracts to absorb higher costs, all while trying to maintain competitiveness in the global tech sector.
Broader implications for the H-1B program
The Trump administration has emphasized that the H-1B visa system is designed to supplement, not replace, American workers. By imposing a $100,000 annual fee, the government aims to curb what it sees as exploitation of foreign labor and protect domestic employment. However, the measure has triggered concerns among tech companies reliant on specialized H-1B talent for software development, cloud computing, AI, and advanced research projects. Critics argue that the sudden increase may disrupt innovation pipelines, delay projects, and discourage international talent from pursuing US employment. Economists warn that small to mid-sized IT firms could be disproportionately affected, as they lack the financial flexibility of giants like JPMorgan or Amazon.
Tech industry scramble to comply
Tech giants including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and JPMorgan had already received thousands of H-1B approvals in the first half of 2025. The sudden fee increase has forced these companies to urgently reassess travel, staffing, and deployment plans. Many are exploring accelerated return strategies for overseas employees, adjusting project timelines, and reallocating work to mitigate potential financial strain. The fee hike adds complexity to long-term talent management, as companies weigh the cost of H-1B placements against the strategic importance of highly skilled foreign employees. Legal teams and HR departments are coordinating closely to ensure compliance with the federal mandate while minimizing disruption to critical US operations.
