Walmart pauses hiring candidates who need H-1B visa after Trump hikes fee

(NewsNation) — Retail giant Walmart, America’s largest private employer, is hitting pause on hiring employees who require H-1B visas, a spokesperson confirmed to multiple news outlets.

The H-1B program allows employers to hire highly skilled non-U.S. citizens, who often fill positions in tech, finance and engineering fields.

In September, President Trump signed an executive order requiring a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, which his administration claims has displaced American workers. Previously, the three-year visas required a fee of $2,000 to $5,000 per petition, according to the American Immigration Council.

Walmart’s decision, first reported by Bloomberg News, is significant because the superstore brand is the top retail chain using the H-1B program. More than 2,000 visas were approved for Walmart employees in the first half of 2025, according to BBC reporting.

“Walmart is committed to hiring and investing in the best talent to serve our customers, while remaining thoughtful about our H-1B hiring approach,” a spokesperson said.