CHENNAI: Amazon has rolled out a temporary arrangement allowing some US-based employees who are currently in India to work remotely until March 2, 2026, as prolonged visa processing delays prevent their return to the US. The move is aimed at easing the impact of extended backlogs in securing H-1B visa appointments, which have left several employees unable to travel back despite holding valid jobs in the US.
The policy applies to a limited group of employees whose roles are officially based in the US but who are stuck in India due to the lack of timely visa interview slots. While Amazon has allowed them to remain on payroll and access internal systems from India, their responsibilities have been sharply restricted to stay within legal and regulatory boundaries, said reports.
Under the temporary arrangement, these employees are prohibited from writing or deploying code, making strategic or managerial decisions, or interacting directly with customers. Their work is confined to narrowly defined, non-critical tasks that do not influence core business operations, product development or customer-facing activities. Internally, the company is treating the measure as an exception rather than a substitute for proper work authorisation.
The strict limitations highlight the legal complexities of cross-border employment, particularly for large technology companies managing globally mobile workforces. By curbing the scope of work, Amazon is seeking to balance employee retention with compliance risks while the visa delays persist.
The decision comes against the backdrop of sustained H-1B visa appointment backlogs at US consulates in India, where demand continues to far exceed availability. These delays have disrupted staffing plans across the technology sector, prompting companies to adopt temporary and tightly controlled solutions.
Amazon has informed affected employees that the arrangement is time-bound and dependent on visa progress. Employees are expected to return to the US as soon as their visa appointments are completed, with March 2, 2026 set as the outer limit for the temporary accommodation.