Walmart Halts Hiring of H-1B Visa Candidates Amid $100,000 Trump-Era Fee

Walmart freezes H-1B hiring after Trump’s $100K visa fee move — Major retailers and tech firms brace for impact across U.S. job markets

PGurus Newsdesk

October 22, 2025

Walmart confirms temporary pause on international corporate recruitment

Walmart halts H-1B hiring after Trump’s $100,000 visa fee policy

Walmart Inc., the largest retail chain in the United States, has temporarily paused offering jobs to candidates requiring H-1B visas following a major policy shift by the Trump administration that imposes a $100,000 fee on new visa applications, Bloomberg reported citing sources familiar with the matter.

The decision primarily impacts corporate hiring at Walmart and reflects growing concern among U.S. employers dependent on skilled foreign labor. Insiders told Bloomberg that the hefty new fee is creating fresh challenges for companies seeking to attract and retain global talent.

Last month, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order introducing the new H-1B visa filing fee as part of what the White House described as efforts to reform the visa system and curb “abuse” that allegedly disadvantages American workers.

While the administration maintains the measure is a “lawful and gradual step” toward broader reform, the policy has triggered uncertainty and disruption across several industries — including technology, finance, and retail.

Under the new rule, existing H-1B visa holders changing job status are exempt from the surcharge. However, employers must pay the full amount when sponsoring new hires not yet authorized to work in the U.S., including those transitioning from student visas.

Government data shows that Walmart employs approximately 2,390 H-1B visa holders, a fraction of its 1.6 million-strong U.S. workforce. In the first half of 2025 alone, over 2,000 H-1B visas were approved for Walmart.

Although Walmart’s reliance on foreign skilled workers is smaller compared to tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, the newly imposed fee still represents a significant cost burden for the retailer.

“Walmart is committed to hiring and investing in the best talent to serve our customers, while remaining thoughtful about our H-1B hiring approach,” a company spokesperson told Bloomberg.

The pause underscores growing corporate unease over Trump’s immigration and labor policies — and could have ripple effects across sectors that rely heavily on global talent to fill specialized roles.

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