US Tech Giants Slash H-1B Visa Petitions Amid New Fees

Department of Labor data for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 shows a sharp decline in H-1B visa applications at major U.S. technology companies. Amazon saw certified applications drop from 4,647 to 3,057, while Google and Meta Platforms Incorporated experienced declines of nearly 50%. Other firms reporting downturns include Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Salesforce, and Tesla.

The decline follows a wave of corporate job cuts, including 16,000 positions at Amazon in January and 15,000 at Microsoft between May and July 2025. The trend is further driven by restrictive immigration policies introduced by the Trump administration in September, which include increased scrutiny of applicants and a $100,000 fee for new petitions for workers living abroad to encourage the hiring of American workers.

Nvidia bucked this industry trend, increasing its filings from 369 to 434 over the same period. CEO Jensen Huang stated that the company will continue hiring immigrants despite the new government fees.