US employers face rising visa costs, stricter scrutiny and H-1B shortages in 2026
A new Envoy Global report finds that policy uncertainty, higher fees and tighter enforcement are making US immigration increasingly costly and unpredictable for companies.
According to Envoy Global's 2026 U.S. Corporate Immigration Trends Report, companies that rely on foreign talent are confronting a landscape of heightened uncertainty, rising costs and stricter enforcement. Surveyed HR and global mobility leaders cite looming policy changes, escalating visa expenses and an uptick in audits and denial rates as their primary concerns. The introduction of a $100,000 fee for H-1B consular processing in late 2025 has largely eliminated offshore hiring via that route, forcing firms to weigh alternative locations for roles.
Enforcement pressure has grown, with 81% of employers reporting more Requests for Evidence and compliance issues scaling with the size of their foreign workforce. The report also notes that the limited H-1B cap remains the most significant sponsorship barrier, especially for large employers, whose share identifying the cap as a primary obstacle rose from 26.1% in 2025 to 37.8% in 2026. As a result, many companies are adjusting hiring strategies, including shifting work overseas, to mitigate immigration risks.
Why it matters
US firms must navigate higher costs and tighter rules to retain foreign talent, affecting hiring and business planning.
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