Walmart Inc, a major retail corporation, has decided to halt the recruitment of individuals requiring an H-1B visa, as reported by Bloomberg. This action is a direct response to recent policy changes by the Trump administration, which introduced a substantial $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications.
On September 19, President Donald Trump announced the fee increase for H-1B visa petitions, with the intention of discouraging the hiring of foreign skilled workers in favor of promoting the employment of American talent. Walmart’s suspension of H-1B hiring showcases the impact of this policy shift on large companies, prompting them to reconsider their recruitment strategies and affecting both international hiring practices and the competitiveness of the US.
The decision will particularly affect Indian nationals, who represent the majority of H-1B visa recipients, with 70% of beneficiaries in 2024 being Indian citizens. Sources familiar with the situation revealed that the change primarily impacts corporate roles within Walmart, rather than positions in its retail stores or distribution centers.
Walmart, which has a workforce of approximately 1.6 million employees in the US, currently employs around 2,390 individuals holding H-1B visas, according to government data cited by Bloomberg.
Expressing a cautious approach towards H-1B visa hiring, a Walmart spokesperson stated, “Walmart is committed to hiring and investing in the best talent to serve our customers, while remaining thoughtful about our H-1B hiring approach.” This pause reflects a growing apprehension among corporations regarding the new visa regulations set by the Trump administration.
While Walmart is a significant user of H-1B workers within the retail sector, its involvement remains modest compared to tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, which have a higher number of foreign tech workers under the program.
The temporary halt in new H-1B hiring by Walmart adds to the uncertainty faced by employers and H-1B holders since the fee hike was announced. The move has been criticized by the US Chamber of Commerce, which filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, labeling the fee increase as “unlawful” and detrimental to small and medium-sized businesses.
Defending the visa fee rise, the White House considers it a lawful step towards broader reforms in the H-1B program. Critics argue that the program, initially designed to fill specific labor shortages, has been misused to the disadvantage of qualified American professionals.
Walmart’s decision to pause H-1B hiring follows the clarification of exemptions to the $100,000 H-1B visa fee introduced by the Trump administration through a presidential proclamation.