In the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (Q1 FY26), H-1B visa applications from financial firms in the United States decreased by 10% compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. This decline is largely attributed to new visa policies implemented by former President Donald Trump, which increased the application fee to $100,000. Notably, JPMorgan Chase experienced a 29% drop in applications, filing 516 certified H-1B petitions, down from 724 in the previous year. Similarly, Goldman Sachs saw a 60% decrease, with only 101 applications this year. In contrast, some competitors such as Citi and Barclays reported increases of 20% and 66%, respectively. The report highlights that the changes in visa policy, including social media vetting and wage base adjustments, have created uncertainty, further compounded by fears regarding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment opportunities in technical fields. The figures reflect only labor department certifications and do not guarantee final approvals.