Amazon has announced a temporary measure allowing some of its H‑1B visa holders who are currently stuck in India to work remotely until March 2, 2026. The decision comes after delays in U.S. visa processing left several employees unable to return to the country. This move is a significant deviation from Amazon’s usual return-to-office policy, which normally requires employees to be present at a U.S. workplace.
The remote work option applies only to employees who were physically in India as of December 13, 2025, and whose visa appointments have been rescheduled due to procedural delays. These delays have increased in recent months because of enhanced security checks and additional screening at U.S. embassies and consulates.
While this measure allows affected staff to continue working, Amazon has imposed strict limitations. Employees working from India are not allowed to perform core technical activities such as coding, testing, or troubleshooting. They also cannot participate in strategic decision-making, manage customer relationships, or conduct negotiations. In addition, they are barred from entering or working from any Amazon facilities in India.
The internal memo emphasizes that all approvals, reviews, and final decisions must occur outside India. Failure to comply with these rules could lead to policy or legal consequences.
This temporary remote work arrangement provides short-term relief for stranded employees but does not solve the broader issue of H-1B visa delays affecting thousands of foreign nationals working for U.S. tech companies. Other major companies have also cautioned employees about the uncertainty of visa processing and advised careful planning for international travel.
Amazon’s measure ensures continuity for affected staff while balancing compliance with U.S. immigration rules and company policy. Analysts say this step may serve as a model for other tech companies facing similar challenges with visa backlogs
