Walmart Inc. has paused offers to candidates requiring H-1B visas, people familiar with the matter said, the latest example of how the Trump administration’s $100,000 visa fees are disrupting workforces.
The current guideline primarily impacts Walmart’s corporate employees, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information.
The Trump administration last month slapped a $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications in a bid to overhaul the visa program and curb overuse. The move has reverberated across technology and other industries that employ thousands of such visa holders.
Walmart is the largest user of H-1B visas among major retail chains, employing an estimated 2,390 H-1B visa holders, according to government data. That represents a small fraction of its total US workforce of about 1.6 million.
While it’s among major employers of H-1B recipients, it’s dwarfed by Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp., Meta Platforms Inc. and other tech giants that rely more heavily on the group.
“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 Walmart spokeswoman said.
By Jaewon Kang
Trump’s New H-1B Visa Fee Will Cost Fashion, Too
A BoF analysis of government data found hundreds of workers employed by dozens of fashion and beauty companies use the visas for skilled workers, which the administration says will now cost $100,000 each.
