International students in the US are finding it harder to land jobs as companies scale back on sponsoring work visas.
The hiring slowdown comes after policy changes introduced under former President Donald Trump’s administration, including a hefty $100,000 fee for firms applying for H-1B visas.
The H-1B program, a key pathway for skilled foreign graduates to work in the US, has seen a sharp drop in applications, with the tech sector hit hardest. Major employers such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are among those affected.
Business groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce, have challenged the new rules in court, arguing that they are unlawful and threaten industries dependent on global talent.
According to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Indian nationals accounted for over 70% of H-1B recipients in 2024, followed by applicants from China and the Philippines.
Although authorities have clarified that recent graduates and student visa holders are exempt from the new fee, uncertainty around its rollout has led many firms to pause or cancel international hiring.
Also Read: US tightens Visa screening with health, finance checks
