Why has H-1B visa applications have fallen? Flake it on steep fee increase and Donald Trump’s anti -immigration stance
Donald Trump Effect: According to data from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the H-1B visa applications for FY26 have decreased by 25% compared to the previous year as compared to the previous year. The number of shortlisted candidates decreased by 27%, of which 85,000 H -1B visas will be provided.FY26 selection, reaching its lowest point since FY22, arrives at a time when visa fees have increased rapidly and the US economic recession has resulted in job cuts. The United States issues 85,000 skilled activists H -1B visas annually, with India a huge beneficiary. Both American organizations and Indian IT companies use these visas to deploy skilled professionals abroad. USCIS registered H-1B for FY26 from 7-24 March, and selected candidates will proceed with their financial year petition presentations.Also read Forced to destroy! The US rejects 15 mango shipments from India, estimated by exporters to a loss of $ 500,000
Why is H-1B visa registration declined?
According to experts talking to ET, US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and strict rules have affected the trend. Additional requirements now include social media verification and extended documentation requirements.According to the Garibvi Hoteni of the US Immigration firm, Lockvest, the increased application cost from $ 10 to $ 215 has been a significant hurdle. “Earlier, even though companies estimate that they need 20-30 people, they would file a safe side (app) for 30,” he said. “This time, he has fully analyzed and taken a conservative approach.”The decrease in the number of this year has also been held responsible for the deduction of employees in major technology companies like Microsoft and Meta, Hoteni.Students are being selected to leave America without immediate requirements to work after visa. “There was a fear among the students who had opportunities for potential opt (alternative practical training),” said Chotani. “In this uncertain environment, even a little run-in with the law may cause you to get into trouble. They have decided to play it safely and go home.” STEM students face possible departure requirements within one year of completion, after the law proposed to eliminate the Opt Work Authority. Currently, opt allows a three-year post-graduation migration to ask for a job. The immigration enforcement of the administration has been intensified, continuous policies from the previous term.Gyanmukan Senthurjothi, who leads the US Immigration firm, visa code, states that minor violations such as Jaywalking are also being documented, causing difficulties for immigrants.Visa application processes have become rapidly complicated in recent periods.Also read Why India Donald Trump can be a big winner of the 2.0 era if he plays his card rightSince the beginning of this year, social media verification has become more rigid, according to Senthurajothi. The requests for evidence (RFE) and additional documentation have increased. “In some cases, even after the visa is approved, it takes four weeks to stand and release, where it usually takes almost a few days,” said Senthurjothi. The annual H -1B visa allocation includes 85,000 visas, with 20,000 specially reserved for individuals having advanced degrees.The USCIS said in its report, “Based on the evidence of the FY23 and FY24 H-1B CAP season, we have investigated extensive fraud, rejected the petitions accordingly and continue to make law enforcement referrals for criminal prosecution.” “We will also review FY25 data and review FY26 data for any effort to get unfair advantage through the beneficiary-centered selection process. If applicable, we will reject or cancel any petition and make law enforcement referrals for criminal prosecution accordingly.,The H-1B visa application for FY25 was a total of 479,953, with 135,137 candidates shortlisted. In the year earlier, 780,884 applications were received, and 188,400 were shortlisted.
