Sweeping changes to the H-1B foreign worker visa scheme relied on by US tech groups left companies on the weekend rushing to ensure thousands of employees around the globe do not trigger hefty new fees.
US President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation that would introduce a $100,000 application fee for the visa, but did not clarify whether the change would apply to existing H1-B holders.
Companies including Amazon and Microsoft issued emergency guidance to employees, urging H-1B holders not to leave the country until the new rules were clarified. They also asked staff currently overseas to return to the US before measures entered force on Sunday.