Federal data on H-1B visa application shows decline in filings by Google, Meta, Amazon
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Federal data reveals a sharp divide in how major tech companies approach the H-1B visa program. While Google, Meta, and Amazon have reduced their filings for new hires, AI giants like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Nvidia are expanding their use of the program. Anthropic recorded the biggest year-over-year percentage increase, with certified applications rising to 59 in Q2 2026 from 10 a year ago. The decline comes amid significant changes to the visa program, including new rules that give higher-paid applicants better odds in the lottery and a temporary $100,000 fee for overseas applicants. US Citizenship and Immigration Services reported 211,600 properly submitted applications for the 2027 allocation, down from 343,981 the year before.
💡 Why It Matters
- · The tech industry's reliance on foreign-born experts has become a defining characteristic, with companies willing to absorb higher costs and hurdles to secure elite talent.
- · The H-1B visa program has become a critical component of AI talent strategy, with companies like Anthropic and OpenAI doubling down on their efforts to attract specialized researchers and engineers.
