H-1B Employers Back Out: Visa Filing Crash 50%?

Recent immigration policy changes in the United States have sharply reduced interest in the H-1B visa programme. Experts say new filings may drop nearly 50 percent compared with last year. Rajiv Khanna, managing director of immigration.com, warned that rising costs and new selection rules are discouraging many employers.

A new White House proclamation has introduced a $100,000 entry fee for fresh H-1B consular petitions. This change has created major difficulties for start ups and smaller companies. At the same time, a wage based selection system now favours higher paid positions.

Because of this rule, entry level roles now face very low chances in the H-1B process. Many companies believe the cost and uncertainty are too high for junior positions. As a result, several employers are reconsidering their hiring strategies.

USCIS opened the H-1B registration window on March 4 this year. However, immigration lawyers are already seeing a noticeable drop in registrations. In previous years the total often reached around 400,000 applications.

Now many companies that once submitted large numbers of applications are pausing their plans. Employers are also reducing filings for entry level or junior positions. This shift reflects growing caution across the technology sector.

VisaNation Law group estimates that total filings may fall to between 250,000 and 300,000 this year. The firm believes companies will now focus more on experienced or senior professionals. Demand for entry level H-1B hiring may continue to decline.

The IT industry has already begun adjusting to these changes. Some companies are outsourcing entry level work rather than hiring through the visa programme. Businesses are trying to manage costs during ongoing political and policy uncertainty.

Indian tech professionals are expected to be affected the most. They accounted for nearly 71 percent of approved H-1B visas in FY2024. Any decline in approvals could significantly impact Indian applicants.

Experts have also warned about the risk of fraud during uncertain times. Some Desi consultancies and shell companies may attempt to exploit hopeful applicants. Job seekers are advised to apply only through trusted employers.

The final data on H-1B registrations will be released after the window closes on March 19. Early signs already suggest a sharp drop in applications this year. Debate around the future of the H-1B visa programme in the United States continues to grow.