Walmart Pauses H‑1B Hiring After $100K Fee

Walmart has temporarily paused extending job offers to candidates who would require new H‑1B visas after the Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee on new H‑1B applications. The pause mainly affects corporate roles and comes as Walmart — which employs roughly 2,390 H‑1B holders among about 1.6 million U.S. employees — reassesses hiring amid legal and operational uncertainty. USCIS guidance clarified the proclamation does not apply to currently valid H‑1Bs or petitions filed before Sept. 21, 2025. The fee prompted immediate industry pushback, including a lawsuit from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and elicited mixed corporate reactions (for example, Tata curtailed new H‑1B hiring while Nvidia said it will continue sponsorship). Critics warn the policy could hinder innovation, disproportionately affect Indian nationals, and push companies to seek alternatives such as other visa classes or remote/offshore staffing.