Recent alterations to the H-1B visa program have ignited a wave of confusion and concern across Silicon Valley. Over the weekend, tech leaders grappled with the implications of these changes, particularly following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which introduced a hefty $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. Prominent figures in the tech industry, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, offered their perspectives in an interview with CNBC.
During the interview on Monday, Jensen Huang emphasized the importance of attracting the world's brightest minds to the United States. "Immigration is the foundation of the American dream, and we represent the American dream," Huang stated, reflecting the sentiment shared by many in the tech sector. He expressed optimism regarding the executive order, noting, "I think immigration is really important to our company and our nation's future, and I'm glad to see President Trump making the moves he's making."
Nvidia, known for being one of the largest employers of H-1B visa holders in the country, had filed 1,519 H-1B applications by the end of fiscal year 2025, according to a Business Insider analysis. This number is significant, especially considering the company's total workforce of 36,000 globally.
OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, echoed Huang's sentiments, stressing the need to bring the most talented individuals into the country. "We need to get the smartest people in the country, and streamlining that process, along with aligning financial incentives, seems good to me," Altman remarked. Both leaders were present at a recent event where Nvidia announced a monumental $100 billion investment in OpenAI, further highlighting the collaboration between these two tech giants.
The H-1B executive order has left many employees, particularly those at companies like Amazon and Microsoft, feeling uncertain about their future. Reports indicate that these companies advised their H-1B visa holders not to leave the United States. For those who were already outside the country, urgent measures were recommended to return quickly.
In response to the growing concerns, White House officials clarified that the new six-figure application fee would only apply to new applicants and would not affect those who have already secured their visas. The administration believes that this fee will help ensure that the H-1B visa serves its intended purpose: attracting highly skilled workers rather than filling positions that could be occupied by American citizens.
As the tech industry continues to navigate the changes to the H-1B visa program, the insights from leaders like Jensen Huang and Sam Altman offer a glimmer of hope. Their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for talented individuals reinforces the notion that immigration remains a cornerstone of innovation and progress in the United States.
