H-1B Visa Crackdown: How are China, Canada and the UK planning to attract top global tech talent?

The Trump administration is making it tougher for US companies to hire foreign workers. Whether it is through the H-1B visa program or the OPT program, which allows US companies to hire recent foreign graduates during and after their studies, immigration laws are being modified to enable them to replace American workers.

For filing a new H-1B petition, US companies need to pay $100,000 to hire each foreign worker. This increased fee structure is already in place and will also take effect during the 2026 H-1B visa season. Further, the wage-based selection process for H-1B visas is likely to become effective soon. The OPT program for foreign students is facing the risk of termination as well.