H-1B Visa Applications in Denver Drop 50% for 2026 Due to New Rules

H-1B visa applications in Denver have fallen by 50% for 2026. This sharp drop comes from new federal rules, including a $100,000 fee on certain new petitions and a wage-based selection process. Employers now think twice before filing, especially for entry-level jobs.

New Rules Reshape H-1B Filings

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) added a $100,000 fee for some fresh H-1B petitions. They also switched to a wage-based system that picks higher-paid jobs first. These changes started affecting the FY2026 cycle, with registrations open from March 4 to March 19, 2026.

This setup hurts companies that file many petitions at once. The high fee makes each one cost a lot upfront. Lower-wage roles, often for junior workers, lose out in selection.

Denver Sees the Biggest Local Hit

In Denver, filings are down more than 50% compared to last year. Experts base this on 2025 quarterly data stretched out for the full year. Immigration attorney Rajiv Khanna said filings are “down about 50%,” pointing to the fee and wage rules.

Brodie from the Economic Innovation Group noted the same trend. Denver’s tech and outsourcing firms feel it most. They used to hire entry-level foreign workers in groups, but now that model breaks down.

National Trends Match Denver’s Drop

The changes go beyond one city. Legal experts predict national H-1B registrations will fall from 400,000 in FY2025 to 250,000-300,000 in FY2026. Shilpa Malik from VisaNation Law Group shared this forecast.

Higher-wage or senior jobs still get through easier. The system now favors specialized roles over basic ones. This creates a smaller pool of visas overall.

Entry-Level and Outsourcing Take the Brunt

Young workers and IT outsourcing face the worst effects. Companies built on bulk junior hires must pay the $100,000 fee per petition. Wage selection pushes low-pay jobs to the back of the line.

Firms chasing top talent pay less attention to the changes. They offer salaries that rank high, so their petitions move forward. Denver shows how industries split under these rules.

What Employers Face Now

Businesses weigh costs before registering. The fee hits before full filing, forcing hard choices. Volume-based models no longer work the same way.

Local data from 2025 points to quick adjustments. Denver’s market now focuses on pay levels and role value. This leads to fewer but more targeted H-1B visa applications.

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