Employers, universities, H-1B professionals and international students in the US may face tougher immigration rules in 2026 and 2027, as the Trump administration is expected to move ahead with stricter visa policies.
The administration is likely to finalize rules increasing salary requirements for H-1B workers and employment-based immigrants.
It is also expected to propose fresh restrictions on employers, visa holders and foreign students seeking work opportunities after graduation.
In September 2025, the Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee on the entry of new H-1B visa holders, creating serious concerns among companies that depend on skilled foreign workers.
H-1B visas remain one of the main routes for highly qualified foreign professionals to work in the US for the long term.
The Department of Labor has already proposed a rule that could raise prevailing wage requirements by 21% to 33%, depending on the worker’s experience level.
If finalized, the rule would make hiring H-1B professionals more expensive, especially for small and mid-sized companies.
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International students may also face new uncertainty. A proposed rule seeks to replace the current “duration of status” system with fixed admission periods.
This could force students to seek government approval for extensions if their courses take longer than the permitted time, making the US a less attractive destination for higher education.
Another major concern is Optional Practical Training, commonly known as OPT.
The Trump administration is expected to propose rules to restrict or end OPT and STEM OPT, which currently allow international students to work in their field after graduation. This could directly affect students hoping to move from F-1 status to H-1B employment.
Immigration attorneys say the pressure is already being felt. Employers are showing less interest in H-1B sponsorship due to higher costs, uncertainty and stricter scrutiny.
Some foreign professionals are also looking at countries in Europe, where skilled-worker residency programs are becoming more attractive.
Companies are also facing longer processing times, tougher adjudications and more Requests for Evidence from USCIS.
Lawyers say wage-level questions are being raised even in cases where employers have followed Department of Labor procedures.
Denial rates are also reportedly rising for high-skilled categories such as EB-1 extraordinary ability cases and EB-2 national interest waivers. This indicates that even highly qualified professionals are facing more difficulty in securing approvals.
Overall, the direction is clear: the Trump administration is moving toward a more restrictive employment-based immigration system.
For employers, hiring foreign talent may become costlier and riskier. For international students and visa holders, the path to studying, working and settling in the US may become far more uncertain.
