The $100K Question: How Trump’s H-1B Changes Impact Your 2026 Strategy

Sweeping reforms are reshaping the H‑1B visa program.

We created this H-1B guide to help HR and global mobility teams make informed decisions in the face of new government rules, rising costs and shifting H-1B petition selection criteria. Throughout the guide, we walk you through the key 2026 H-1B questions, scenarios and strategic considerations that matter most, so you can assess risk, prioritize roles, allocate your budget and identify the right immigration pathways for your workforce.

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What You’ll Learn

Balance Costs and Risk

Get clarity on the new $100,000 H-1B consular fee, which filing types are most affected and how to forecast those costs into your immigration budget and compliance plan.

Strategic Workforce Planning

Explore tools and strategies to help you understand how the proposed H-1B lottery system change impacts different roles and candidates. Evaluate priorities, factor in compensation levels and shape filing strategies that help protect critical positions.

Compliance and Continuity

Strengthen your program in response to new enforcement initiatives like Project Firewall. Practical frameworks help you audit records, align filing practices and prepare for inspections. Proactively evaluate visa options beyond the H-1B and build contingency plans to manage higher costs or lottery odds.

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The H‑1B program remains a critical pathway for securing highly skilled talent. But for FY 2027, employers face unprecedented challenges:

• A $100,000 petition fee for certain filings
• Project Firewall, a multi‑agency enforcement initiative
• A wage‑weighted lottery system reshaping selection criteria

Together, these developments introduce significant financial, operational and compliance risks. At the same time, they reinforce the urgent need for strategic workforce planning and organizational agility. Access the full H-1B guide to explore strategies, scenarios and practical steps your team can take to strengthen your workforce strategy in a shifting H‑1B landscape.