NVIDIA Expands H-1B Hiring Amidst Shifting Tech Landscape

In the first half of Fiscal Year 2026, NVIDIA has significantly increased its H-1B certifications, setting it apart from major tech companies like Google and Amazon. This trend emerges as Silicon Valley grapples with new federal regulations and a changing economic climate that is influencing foreign worker sponsorship. NVIDIA’s proactive approach to hiring H-1B workers highlights a strategic adaptation to these evolving conditions.

NVIDIA’s Growing H-1B Certifications

Federal data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reveals that NVIDIA has achieved approximately 1,200 H-1B certifications in the initial half of FY 2026. This marks a 20% increase from the roughly 1,000 certifications recorded in the same period last year. This growth contrasts sharply with other tech giants; Google’s certifications have dropped to about 2,200, a 57% decrease from 5,100, and Amazon’s have fallen to approximately 4,300, down 30% from 6,100.

New Federal Policies Impacting H-1B Hiring

Several recent federal policy changes are reshaping the H-1B landscape. A new rule mandates an additional $100,000 fee for certain H-1B petitions filed for workers applying from outside the United States, effective September 21, 2025. This supplemental fee introduces a substantial cost barrier for companies that depend on international talent pipelines.

Furthermore, a policy memorandum issued on May 21, 2026, by USCIS altered the treatment of in-country green card applications. Initially, the guidance suggested that individuals in the U.S. temporarily seeking a green card would need to return to their home country to apply, except in exceptional circumstances. While later clarifications indicated that applications providing economic benefit or serving the national interest might continue on their current path, the initial announcement caused uncertainty.

Weighted Lottery System Favors High-Paying Jobs

A significant shift in the H-1B selection process, effective February 27, 2026, now gives Wage Level IV positions four times the chance of selection compared to Wage Level I positions. This weighted lottery system provides a distinct advantage to employers offering higher salaries. NVIDIA’s compensation structure, with Principal Research Scientists earning between $272,000 and $431,250, and Architecture Directors potentially earning up to $488,750, positions it favorably under these new rules. This is particularly relevant as the company competes for specialized artificial intelligence and semiconductor talent.

Tech Companies Adjusting Hiring Strategies

The combination of increased fees, altered green card processing, and the weighted lottery has led many companies to reassess their foreign worker sponsorship strategies. Companies facing layoffs or reducing overall immigration spending are more likely to curb new sponsorships. Google and Amazon, despite still sponsoring a larger volume of H-1B workers than NVIDIA, show a marked year-over-year decline, indicating a strategic pullback.

Impact on Worker Recruitment and Market Dynamics

The $100,000 supplemental visa fee has influenced where companies seek talent. To avoid this extra cost, many firms are increasing their reliance on international students already in the U.S. on F-1 OPT status, who are exempt from this particular fee. This situation elevates the importance of hiring workers already within the country, while making new overseas recruitment more challenging unless the role commands a very high salary or is in a field with a severe labor shortage. The weighted lottery further exacerbates this by prioritizing high-wage positions.

This creates a more divided H-1B market. Companies with strong financial standing and urgent needs for AI or semiconductor expertise can absorb the additional costs and structure their offers to comply with wage regulations. In contrast, employers experiencing workforce reductions face greater obstacles for each new petition.

Worker Experiences Under New Policies

These policy changes affect H-1B employees differently. Those working for companies that are reducing sponsorships may face increased risks during layoffs, as the standard 60-day grace period now operates within a weaker market for visa transfers. Additionally, employers might be less willing to assume the new costs associated with sponsoring transferred workers.

The changes to green card processing add another layer of complexity. Under the May memo, some H-1B holders seeking permanent residency may be required to undergo consular processing abroad, a step that can lead to family separation and disrupt careers at critical junctures. Conversely, highly compensated AI and semiconductor professionals at companies like NVIDIA appear to be in a stronger position. Their salaries align with the weighted selection system, and their work is more likely to meet the criteria for economic benefit and national interest, as outlined in USCIS clarifications.

The early FY 2026 filings illustrate how federal policy can rapidly alter hiring incentives within Silicon Valley. NVIDIA’s expansion of H-1B hiring reflects its adaptation to a system that now rewards high wages, while its rivals are scaling back amidst a climate marked by layoffs, a significant overseas filing surcharge, and stricter green card processing rules.