**Amazon Allows Indian Employees to Work Remotely Amid H-1B Visa Delays**
Amazon, the US-based global e-commerce leader, is reportedly permitting its Indian employees affected by delays in H-1B visa appointments to work remotely from India until early March 2026. According to a memo referenced by Business Insider, employees who were in India as of December 13, 2025, and are awaiting rescheduled visa appointments can continue their work remotely until March 2, 2026.
However, the memo also stipulates that these employees will face significant restrictions during this period. They are prohibited from coding, making strategic decisions, or interacting with customers. The memo emphasizes that all reviews, final decision-making, and sign-offs must occur outside of India, with no exceptions to these restrictions in compliance with local laws.
Concerns arise for those whose visa appointments are scheduled beyond the March 2, 2026 deadline, as the memo does not provide guidance for these employees or for those stranded in other countries. Reports indicate that some US embassies and consulates have rescheduled visa appointments as far out as 2027, a consequence of the stricter immigration policies implemented during the Trump administration.
Amazon, along with other major tech companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft, is navigating the evolving immigration landscape in the US. The government has introduced new measures, including reviewing visa applicants’ social media posts, leading to extended delays in visa processing.
For Amazon’s technical employees in India, the restrictions raise concerns about their ability to perform essential job functions. One software engineer expressed that a significant portion of their role involves coding, testing, and deploying software, which is now limited under the current guidelines.
In the financial year ending 2024, Amazon filed 14,783 certified H-1B applications, including 23 for Whole Foods, highlighting the company’s reliance on this visa program for its workforce.
As the situation develops, employees and companies alike are left to adapt to the changing immigration policies and their implications for international work arrangements.
**FAQ**
**What should Amazon employees in India do if their H-1B visa appointment is after March 2, 2026?**
Currently, there is no guidance from Amazon for employees whose visa appointments are scheduled beyond March 2, 2026. It is advisable for affected employees to stay informed about any updates from the company regarding their visa status and work arrangements.