H-1B Visas Skyrocket Despite Trump Admin Crackdown
Summary
The number of approved H-1B visa renewals is on track to reach a record high in fiscal year 2026, despite efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to tighten rules for the visa program. These renewals include extensions and changes for workers already in the U.S., and the data reflects petition approvals rather than individual workers.Key Facts
- About 273,026 H-1B visa renewals were approved in the first nine months of fiscal year 2026.
- This number is close to the record of 291,542 renewals approved in fiscal year 2025.
- Renewals are for workers already in the U.S. on H-1B visas, not new visa approvals through the lottery.
- President Trump’s administration tried to add a $100,000 fee on many new foreign worker petitions, but a court blocked this fee.
- The administration aims to change the visa lottery to favor higher-paid applicants.
- The data combines different petition types, including renewals, job changes, and amendments, so it does not count unique workers.
- In fiscal year 2024, about 65% of approved H-1B petitions were renewals or extensions.
- Experts say the approval numbers show petition activity but are not the same as counting individual visa holders.
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