Federal and corporate RTO rules keep tightening

The White House ordered federal agencies to end remote work and return employees to full-time in-person duty after President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20, 2025 memorandum. The Office of Personnel Management then told agencies to verify in-person attendance, limit telework to emergencies or certified needs and submit telework contacts by Jan. 2026.

Private employers have followed with stricter office rules. Fidelity, Microsoft, Instagram and Amazon have all pushed in-office requirements of 3 to 5 days a week, with some firms setting discipline or termination for noncompliance.

Remote workers and nomads are feeling the squeeze

The biggest impact is on federal workers and US employees in tech and finance who used to hold remote roles. Some are now back on-site, while others are moving toward freelance or contract work.

For digital nomads and expats, the practical issue is scarcer remote jobs and more competition for freelance gigs as displaced workers look abroad. US-paid expats can also run into contract trouble if they work from another country without a clear work-from-anywhere clause.

What remote workers need to check now

Remote workers should read their employment terms closely and confirm whether their role still allows work outside the office or outside the US. Federal staff seeking exceptions must document disability or medical needs, while private-sector employees may face badge tracking, time systems or performance monitoring.

If a contract or policy says full-time in-person work, the safest move is to get any overseas arrangement in writing before traveling. Check our country guides for destination-specific details and see more visa updates.