Several leading employers have paused or scaled back their sponsorship of H-1B visas for certain roles following a recent policy change from President Donald Trump’s administration.
The new rule requires employers to pay a $100,000 fee for each new H-1B visa application. Officials say this reform aims to attract top global talent while preventing abuse of the system to bring in cheap labour and suppress American wages.
The policy has led to criticism and legal challenges, with opponents questioning the president’s authority to enforce the fee and expressing concerns that it could harm the country’s competitiveness in technology and innovation.
USCIS clarified that the $100,000 fee applies only to visa applications submitted on or after September 21 for workers outside the US who do not currently hold H-1B status.
Companies such as TCS, Infosys, and Walmart have reportedly stopped sponsoring H-1B visas in response.
‘H-1B is finished’
As news about companies scaling back on H-1B sponsorship spread, many people began sharing their reactions and feelings online. A user noted, “H-1B is finished.” Another added, ” People will move on different visas and then apply for H1B from inside the US bypassing the 100k fees. The L1 visa will be an alternative.”
“MAGA cult has no idea about other types of immigration. They just enjoyed a weekend reality show,” noted a user. “Companies those are not hiring are just losing talent, while others who read the recent clarifications from USICS will keep hiring and grow,” claimed another.
A netizen stated, “I would think that for actual talent the O1 visa already exists. H1Bs are less about talent and more about a shortage in skills that the local population may not have at a “specific cost to company.”
“Days of offshoring is here,” claimed another user.
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