Applications for the popular H-1B work visa in the United States have reportedly fallen sharply this year, with immigration experts estimating a decline of nearly 50% compared to the previous year.
The development has raised concerns among companies and skilled professionals who depend on the visa program to work in the U.S.
The H-1B visa allows U.S. companies to hire foreign professionals in specialised fields such as technology, engineering, and research.
For years, the program has been widely used by global firms and thousands of skilled workers, particularly from India.
According to immigration expert Rajiv Khanna, managing director of Immigration.com, the drop in filings is largely due to major policy changes introduced in the United States.
One of the biggest factors is the sharp increase in the application fee, which has reportedly been raised to $100,000 per petition.
In addition to the fee hike, the U.S. government has also proposed a wage-based selection system for H-1B visas.
Under this approach, applicants with higher salaries could get preference over others in the visa lottery. Experts say this change may discourage many employers, especially smaller companies, from filing applications.
Because of these new rules and rising costs, many companies are reportedly reconsidering their hiring plans for foreign talent. Immigration analysts say the policy changes are reshaping demand for H-1B visas and creating financial and procedural hurdles for employers.
The decline could also affect industries that rely heavily on skilled foreign workers, particularly the technology sector, where H-1B visas have traditionally played a major role in recruitment.
Experts believe that if the trend continues, the global flow of skilled workers to the United States may slow down significantly.
At the same time, companies could start exploring alternative visa options or expand hiring in other countries.
For now, the sharp drop in H-1B filings signals a major shift in the U.S. immigration landscape, with both employers and international professionals closely watching how the policy changes unfold.