- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Walmart, one of America’s largest private employers and a major sponsor of H-1B visas, has temporarily halted hiring candidates who require the visa following a sharp fee increase introduced by the Trump administration. The decision follows President Donald Trump’s controversial rule in September that raised H-1B visa fees to USD 100,000 per new application, a tenfold jump from previous levels. The administration claimed the hike was aimed at “protecting American workers” and reducing perceived misuse of the visa program, which allows companies to hire foreign professionals in specialised roles such as engineering, data science, and management.
A Walmart spokesperson told Bloomberg that the company remains “committed to hiring and investing in the best talent to serve our customers while remaining thoughtful about our H-1B hiring approach.” While the retail giant has not completely shut the door on foreign talent, exceptions will reportedly be made only in limited, case-by-case situations.
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Jobs Most Affected By Freeze
The pause primarily impacts Walmart’s corporate and technology divisions, particularly positions in software engineering, data analytics, and specialised business management. The company currently employs about 2,390 H-1B visa holders, a small fraction of its 1.6 million-strong US workforce, but many of those roles are considered critical to its innovation and digital transformation initiatives.
For many companies dependent on international expertise, the new fees represent a significant financial burden. Employers now face the difficult choice of either absorbing the costs or slowing hiring for specialised technical talent.
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The policy has sparked a backlash among business leaders. Neil Bradley, executive vice president of the US Chamber of Commerce, criticised the move as “unlawful and harmful,” warning that the USD 100,000 fee makes it prohibitively expensive for startups and mid-sized companies to participate in the H-1B program. The Chamber has already filed a lawsuit against the administration challenging the legality of the increase.