The Trump administration is tightening its grip on the U.S. immigration system, pausing visa appointments worldwide while moving to make a more than $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas permanent, developments that could create fresh uncertainty for global workers and businesses reliant on international talent.
The State Department said on Tuesday that it had launched a global training initiative across US embassies and consulates and that visa appointments would be adjusted to accommodate the training. The department did not provide a timeline for when normal appointment schedules would resume, a Reuters report said.
The move comes as President Donald Trump pursues a broad immigration crackdown involving deportations, visa and green-card revocations and increased scrutiny of visa applications.
Global Visa appointments face disruption
A State Department spokesperson said the training would help consular officers identify applicants deemed likely to become dependent on US public benefits and ensure visa applications are evaluated “comprehensively and consistently.”
The Financial Times earlier reported that immigrant visa applicants with scheduled interviews at US embassies and consulates had received emails saying their appointments were being rescheduled and that they would receive new dates later.
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The administration says its immigration campaign is intended to strengthen domestic security. But the policies have faced legal challenges and criticism from human rights groups, which have accused the administration of discriminatory practices and violations of free speech and due process.
A US judge on Friday struck down a Trump administration policy suspending immigrant visa issuance to applicants from 75 countries, ruling that it exceeded Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statutory authority.
H-1B fee could transform hiring costs
For companies, another major concern is the administration’s proposal to permanently impose a $103,265 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers.
The Department of Homeland Security published the proposed rule in the Federal Register on Monday. If finalised, it would codify a charge first imposed temporarily by Trump last year. The temporary fee is due to expire in September, while the proposed permanent rule could be finalized by the end of 2026.
Before Trump’s order, H-1B visas generally carried fees of between $2,000 and $5,000.
The H-1B program allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. It provides 65,000 visas annually, plus another 20,000 for workers with advanced degrees, with visas generally approved for three to six years.
The proposed fee therefore represents a dramatic increase in the cost of recruiting international workers.
Businesses and administration clash
Trump and other critics argue that companies abuse the H-1B system by replacing American workers with cheaper foreign labor. Business groups and companies, however, say the program is essential for addressing shortages of qualified workers and competing for highly skilled talent.
About 70 employers had paid the $100,000 fee on 85 visa applications as of late February, according to court filings.
The fee is being challenged by the US Chamber of Commerce, Democratic-led states and a coalition of unions and employers. Lawsuits argue that presidential authority to restrict entry does not allow the administration to override the law establishing the H-1B program.
The challengers also say the Homeland Security Department cannot impose fees or other revenue-generating measures without authorization from Congress.
The Trump administration maintains that the charge is not a traditional tax and that courts have limited authority to question the president’s power to restrict entry.
H-1B demand is already falling
The broader immigration crackdown is coinciding with a sharp decline in H-1B registrations. Employers registered for about 344,000 H-1B visas last year, down more than 25 per cent from 2024 and less than half the 759,000 visas sought in 2023, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services data cited by Reuters.
The administration has also ordered enhanced vetting of H-1B applicants and proposed a selection system that would favor higher-skilled and better-paid workers.
Earlier this month, Homeland Security separately added fees of up to $4,500 for applications to extend H-1B workers’ stays or transfer employees based overseas to the US.
UAE faces added visa and security pressure
For applicants in the UAE, the developments come alongside a separate security challenge.
On August 1, the US Embassy and Consulate General in the UAE issued a security alert warning that heightened Middle East tensions had created a complex environment with potential for unforeseen escalation.
The alert advised Americans in the region to exercise heightened vigilance and prepare for flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions.
It said the US Embassy and Consulate General remained on ordered-departure status, meaning non-emergency government personnel had been relocated outside the UAE. Consular assistance remained available, but the alert said limited non-immigrant visa appointments were available and all immigrant visa services remained suspended.
The embassy also urged travelers to monitor airline operations and official guidance. Flight status information was available through Abu Dhabi.
The security alert also advised Americans to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, remain aware of their surroundings, keep phones charged and follow instructions from local authorities.
For businesses and workers navigating the U.S. immigration system, the combined effect is increasingly significant: longer uncertainty around visa processing, sharply higher potential hiring costs and a more restrictive regulatory environment.
