US Immigration: What the H-1B Visa Looks Like in 2026

The H-1B visa programme 2025 emerged as one of the most transformed U.S. immigration systems in recent years, as the United States administration introduced sweeping reforms intended to reshape how foreign talent enters the American workforce. The measures—implemented in phased policy and procedural updates—shifted priority toward high-wage positions, increased employer accountability, and introduced unprecedented costs that shocked companies across industries.

While existing H-1B workers remained largely unaffected, the new rules created a dramatically different pathway for those seeking opportunities in the world’s largest economy. The year 2025 ultimately became a defining turning point, particularly for applicants from India, who historically represent the highest share of H-1B approvals.

US Immigration: A $100,000 Supplemental Fee Reshapes Employer Strategy

Among the most controversial policies rolled out under the H-1B visa programme 2025 was a mandatory $100,000 supplemental fee placed on new petitions filed from outside the United States. Effective September 21, 2025, this fee comes on top of existing application costs and legal expenses, pushing total sponsorship costs to levels never previously seen.

The rule excludes extensions, renewals, and petitions filed for individuals already working in the U.S. under H-1B status. Government officials defended the fee as a deterrent against excessive filings and argued that it reinforces the programme’s intent—to hire foreign workers only for highly specialised roles where U.S. talent is unavailable. Limited exemptions may be granted only in cases deemed to serve national interest, but employers say these are exceptionally rare.

Lottery No More: Wage-Based Selection Takes Over

The H-1B visa programme 2025 moved away from its long-criticised random lottery model. Under the new wage-tiered approach, applications offering higher salaries receive priority in selection. Companies hiring senior-level or highly specialised talent now stand a far greater chance of securing approvals, while early-career professionals and mid-level applicants face significantly reduced odds.

This marks a dramatic departure from previous years, where every qualified registration had an equal shot. Immigration analysts say the change could influence hiring trends, making U.S. job markets even more competitive for international graduates.

US Immigration: Beneficiary-Centric System Blocks Duplicate Filings

Another continued shift under the H-1B visa programme 2025 is the full enforcement of the beneficiary-centric registration system. This design ensures that one candidate may only appear once in the pool, regardless of how many employers wish to sponsor them. This eliminated tactics where multiple registrations were filed for a single candidate to boost their selection chances.

For large tech firms, this leveled the playing field by reducing bulk registration competition. For smaller employers, however, it meant fewer opportunities to compete for candidates already sought after by several organizations.

Visa Scrutiny Intensifies: Longer Checks, Tougher Proofs

The year 2025 also saw a dramatic tightening in screening. Background evaluation now extends deeper into employment records, online presence, job-role details, wage data, and company operations. Applicants across several U.S. consulates reported longer interview wait times and detailed questioning.

Employers also faced a surge in Requests for Evidence (RFEs)—letters demanding proof of specialised job duties, contract length, or wage compliance. Legal teams say RFEs multiplied processing time and cost, adding new layers that many companies were unprepared for.

Crackdown on Staffing Firms and Third-Party Worksites

The government sharpened enforcement against misuse of the H-1B visa programme 2025, particularly targeting staffing agencies and consulting setups. Petitions involving third-party client sites underwent deeper verification, requiring proof that work existed for the full visa duration—not only for short-term projects.

Several enforcement warnings throughout the year stated that companies submitting speculative or temporary-work-based petitions could face denial, penalties, or investigation.

The Employer Impact: Rising Costs and Shrinking Sponsorships

Businesses—especially emerging tech firms and midsize employers—felt the heaviest burden. The combination of a $100,000 fee, heightened compliance requirements, and wage-based selection pressure led some companies to reduce, freeze, or fully cancel H-1B hiring.

Others began exploring alternatives:

• O-1 visas for extraordinary talent

• L-1 intracompany transfers

• Remote offshore hiring, relocating teams to India, Singapore, or Canada

Executives across sectors described 2025 as the costliest year to hire international professionals in U.S. history.