Walmart has announced a temporary pause on hiring candidates who require H-1B visas, following the Trump administration’s new $100,000 fee for the program, according to the BBC. The executive order, signed last month by President Donald Trump, cited alleged “abuse” of the H-1B program, which allows US companies to hire skilled foreign workers.

As the largest private employer in the United States, Walmart heavily relies on the H-1B visa program, with over 2,000 approvals in the first half of 2025 alone. The retailer said it remains committed to hiring top talent while evaluating its approach to H-1B hires in light of the new fee.

The $100,000 charge applies only to new visa applications and aims to restrict entry unless the payment is made. Critics argue that the program undercuts American workers, while supporters, including Elon Musk, contend that it helps attract global talent. India has historically dominated the H-1B program, accounting for over 70% of recipients, followed by China with around 12%.

The executive order has faced opposition from business groups. The US Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit, claiming the fee would make it “cost-prohibitive” for employers, forcing companies to either raise labor costs or reduce the hiring of highly skilled foreign employees. The White House, however, defended the fee as a lawful and “necessary, initial, incremental step towards necessary reforms” to the H-1B program.

Walmart’s pause highlights the wider impact of the fee on US employers, particularly in retail and technology sectors, where companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google rely heavily on H-1B workers to maintain operations. The decision underscores the challenging balance between regulatory reforms and attracting skilled international talent.