Big changes are underway for U.S. visas, quietly.
The age of cheap, temporary H-1B labor is ending.
The Trump administration isn’t just slowing new approvals.
It’s laying the groundwork to make visa sponsorship financially painful.
Under the H-1B Modernization Rule and USCIS’s new fee schedule, costs are rising.
And now, wage floor increases are back under review, targeting exactly how much employers must pay to keep a visa worker.
This isn’t about protecting workers.
It’s about shrinking demand without needing Congress.
These changes affect existing visa holders.
If your role is up for renewal, transfer, or amendment, your employer may soon face higher wage requirements or new documentation standards.
Promotions may be delayed.
Transfers could be reconsidered.
And companies are already rethinking whether H-1B staffing is worth the long-term cost.
They’re starting to prioritize workers they can keep permanently.
That means U.S. citizens.
If you're on a visa and in a cost-sensitive role, understand this clearly.
The pressure is already building.
Citations in comments.
Shout out to my checkers who caught a citation error. Thx
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Citations:
1. USCIS Final Rule – New fee schedule increases costs for visa filings:
www.federalregister.gov
2. H-1B Modernization Rule – Tightens specialty occupation rules and employer obligations:
www.federalregister.gov
3. Boundless Immigration – Analysis of proposed H-1B wage hike plans and Trump policy goals:
abcnews.go.com
www.semafor.com