When Amazon told some of its US-based employees stranded in India that they could continue working remotely, it sounded like a rare bit of relief in a tightening immigration climate. But the permission came with so many restrictions that for many, especially engineers, it raised a more basic question, what work is actually allowed?
According to an internal memo reviewed by Business Insider, Amazon is allowing employees who were in India as of December 13 and are awaiting rescheduled US visa appointments to work remotely from the country until March 2. The move comes as American companies grapple with sweeping changes to the H-1B visa process that have slowed approvals and left workers stuck outside the US for months.
Remote work but with a long list of don’ts
Amazon’s policy allows affected employees to remain on payroll while waiting for their visas, but the scope of permitted work is sharply limited. Employees working remotely from India are barred from coding in any form, including testing or troubleshooting software. They cannot make strategic decisions, negotiate or sign contracts, or interact with customers. They are also prohibited from working in or visiting Amazon offices in India.
“All reviews, final decision making, and sign offs should be undertaken outside India,” the memo states, adding that the restrictions are non-negotiable and imposed “in compliance with local laws.”
Visa delays ripple across Big Tech
Amazon is far from alone. The delays stem from a series of rapid changes to the H-1B visa program under the Trump administration, including a new requirement that consular officers review applicants’ social media activity before issuing visas. The added screening has slowed processing across US embassies and consulates, particularly in India, where demand for work visas is high.
In recent weeks, companies including Google, Apple, and Microsoft have issued travel advisories requesting visa-holding employees to avoid leaving the US, warning that international travel could result in prolonged stays abroad. For those who traveled before the guidance often for routine visa renewals — the consequences have been severe.
A bigger problem for a big H-1B employer
The situation poses a particular challenge for Amazon, one of the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B visa program. During the 2024 fiscal year, the company filed 14,783 certified H-1B applications, including 23 for Whole Foods, according to Business Insider’s analysis
Under Amazon’s standard policy, employees traveling abroad for visa renewals can work remotely for up to 20 business days, an exception to the company’s broader return-to-office requirement. The new memo extends that window by several months, but only for employees stranded in India and only until early March.
Here is the full memo:
H-1B/H-4 Visa Appointment Postponement Issue – December 17, 2025
Temporary Remote Work Authorization
Effective immediately, impacted employees who were in India as of December 13, 2025, and are awaiting their rescheduled visa appointment may work remotely until March 2, 2026. You must follow all current limitations on remote work activities, including restrictions against coding. See the FAQs below for details.
We continue to monitor developments closely and will provide further updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, if you need additional support please reach out by asking Aza or contacting MyHR Live Support to be connected to an HR expert. You and your household also have 24/7 access to a wide range of support and resources through Resources for Living.
Employee Guidance
The remote work grace period is subject to the same activity restrictions (listed below) as all current remote work guidance in India. In compliance with local laws, there are no exceptions to these restrictions. If you have questions, please work with your manager and HRBP to determine what activities you can engage in while abroad, based on these guidelines:
Do not code. This includes troubleshooting, testing, or documentation.
Do not work from or visit an Amazon building or site. All work must be remote from a residential address or other non-Amazon location.
Do not give the impression of authority to bind any Amazon entity or appoint an agent authorized to bind any Amazon entity to any contract or agreement.
Do not undertake any strategic business decisions, business planning, product management/development, and/or business development type activities.
Do not negotiate any contracts, sign/execute or otherwise conclude any contracts, or secure any orders, either in the approval tools and/or DocuSign (or via any other method).
Do not render any services to any customer (resident or otherwise) or to any Amazon entity in the country where the employee is remotely working, or otherwise perform any activity that directly benefits an Amazon entity in the country where remote working is taking place.
Do not perform any activity relating to directing, controlling, or supervising or facilitating the day-to-day operations of any Amazon local entity or employee of an Amazon local team in the country where the employee is working remotely.
Do not make hiring decisions for any Amazon entities in India.
Do not perform any activity related to managing any customer/partner/vendor relationship, such as discussing specific contract terms, pricing negotiations, placing orders, accepting orders, or soliciting sales.
All employment-related matters should continue to be decided by the respective legal employing entity, i.e. the Amazon U.S. entity.
All reviews, final decision making, and sign offs should be undertaken outside India.
AWS employees are expected to adhere to the AWS Operating Guidance whilst working remotely, the same way they would follow the guidance during normal times.