The Trump administration is making it tougher for US companies to hire foreign workers. Whether it is through the H-1B visa program or the OPT program, which allows US companies to hire recent foreign graduates during and after their studies, immigration laws are being modified to enable them to replace American workers.
For filing a new H-1B petition, US companies need to pay $100,000 to hire each foreign worker. This increased fee structure is already in place and will also take effect during the 2026 H-1B visa season. Further, the wage-based selection process for H-1B visas is likely to become effective soon. The OPT program for foreign students is facing the risk of termination as well.
The US restrictions on international workers and students are prompting other countries to develop new schemes to attract global talent. China’s new K-Visa, Canada’s talent attraction plan and the UK’s Global Talent Taskforce aim to capitalize on the US crackdown.
China K-Visa
China has introduced a new ‘K Visa’ aimed at attracting overseas young science and technology talent, signaling that qualified individuals are welcome in the country. China intends to capitalize on the US government’s limitations on the H-1B visa program for employing foreign workers.
The biggest attraction of China K Visas is that they eliminate the need for a sponsor or a Chinese employer in the application process, with requirements focused solely on the age, education, or work experience of the applicants.
K visas will be issued to young foreign scientific and technological professionals who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree or above in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from renowned universities or research institutions in China or abroad, or who are engaged in relevant professional education or research at such institutions.
Canada’s Focus on Tech Talent
Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced that the country will soon introduce proposals to welcome foreign workers who are now facing challenges due to the $100,000 H-1B visa application fee in the United States.
Carney said, “Not as many H-1B visa holders will get visas in the US. These people are skilled, and this is an opportunity for Canada… We will soon bring a proposal on this.”
Budget 2025, presented to the parliament, includes an immigration levels plan for 2026–2028, aiming to become a leading destination for global talent by actively attracting the best students and professionals from around the world.
Canada’s International Talent Attraction Strategy and Action Plan will position the immigration system to meet strategic labour market needs.
Canada is launching new initiatives to draw in skilled tech professionals by focusing on prioritizing highly skilled workers in critical sectors such as emerging technologies, health care, and skilled trades.
UK Global Talent Taskforce
A ‘Global Talent Taskforce’ has been launched by the UK to lure the world’s top talent to the country. The Global Talent Taskforce’s main goal will be to recruit the best talent for the UK’s priority industries.
The Global Talent Taskforce will assist academics, entrepreneurs, investors, top-tier management and engineering talent, and high-calibre creatives in relocating and will collaborate closely with the UK’s overseas presence to network and establish a pipeline of people who wish to move to Britain.
Global Talent visa is another unique offering for foreign workers. With a Global Talent visa, you can work in the UK if you have an endorsement as a leader or potential leader in digital technology, for example, in financial technology, gaming, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence. You do not need a job offer to get the Global Talent visa.
The UK government has also launched a new ‘Industrial Strategy’ to bolster homegrown talent with cutting-edge, highly skilled expertise from around the world to work in the key sectors identified in the Strategy.
UK government has also taken steps to help foreign students immediately start contributing to the economy after their studies. International students in the UK will soon be able to switch to an Innovator Founder visa without having to leave the country.
Major changes in the UK immigration policy have been announced that will enable students in the UK to directly shift to the Innovator Founder visa, without having to leave the country through starting on November 25, 2025.
An Innovator Founder visa allows foreign students to set up and run an innovative business in the UK. It must be different from anything else in the market. Also, the business or business idea should have been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body. Further, all other eligibility requirements need to be met.
Summing Up
For foreign workers who want to work for US companies, live in the US with a green card, and eventually become citizens of the US, the H-1B visa program may still be a popular choice. Even though the path to realizing the American dream has become somewhat difficult, highly skilled individuals may still be fortunate enough to secure employment and an H-1B visa during the 2026 H-1B season.
