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 programme and curb overuse. The move has rev ...

Core Points - The recent announcement regarding the $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications has caused significant confusion, initially unclear whether it applied to new applicants or existing holders [1][2] - The White House later clarified that the fee applies only to new applicants, but the initial chaos led many tech companies to advise employees against international travel [3][4] - The fee is seen as unmanageable for startups and small businesses, potentially hindering their ability to hire necessary talent [5][6] - Larger tech companies may cope better with the fee, but the overall impact on innovation and competitiveness for American startups is concerning [7][10] - The H-1B visa is crucial not only for tech companies but also for various industries, including healthcare and research institutions [10][11] - There are concerns that companies may pause international hiring or shift operations abroad due to the new fee, affecting U.S. workers [13] - The proclamation includes language for national interest exceptions, but the high evidentiary standards may limit its effectiveness [14][15] - Legal challenges to the executive order are anticipated, with arguments focusing on Congress's role in setting immigration laws and fees [16][17] - The recent Supreme Court decision may complicate efforts to issue nationwide injunctions against the proclamation [18][19]

Group 1 - Large-cap US technology companies' shares remained steady in premarket trading following the introduction of new visa fees by the Trump administration [1] - The administration proposed a fee of $100,000 per year for H-1B working visas, leading to urgent travel advisories from major companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Goldman Sachs [2] - The "Magnificent 7" group, which includes Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Tesla, saw their shares trading less than 1% above or below their previous close [2] Group 2 - In the first half of 2025, Amazon and its cloud-computing unit AWS received approval for over 12,000 H-1B visas, while Microsoft and Meta Platforms each had over 5,000 approvals [3] - The current visa lottery system requires a small entry fee, with subsequent fees potentially amounting to several thousand dollars if approved [3]