Nvidia to Pay $100K H-1B Visa Fee Amid Trump’s New Immigration Policy

Key Details

• Policy Change: Trump’s executive order introduced a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications.
• Nvidia’s Response: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang confirmed in an internal memo that the company will cover this fee for employees.
• Impact: Applies to new visa applicants after September 21, 2025, but not existing holders or applications filed before that date.
• Visa Sponsorship: Nvidia is one of the largest sponsors of H-1B visas in the U.S., with around 1,500 approvals in 2025.
• Global Workforce: Nearly half of AI researchers globally are Chinese, according to Nvidia.

Why This Matters

H-1B visas are crucial for the U.S. technology industry, allowing skilled foreign professionals to contribute to innovation. Nvidia’s decision reinforces its commitment to diversity and talent acquisition despite the new restrictive immigration policy. This move may influence other tech companies to follow suit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the H-1B visa?

The H-1B visa is a U.S. work visa for skilled foreign professionals in specialty occupations like technology, engineering, and science.

2. How does Nvidia’s policy work?

Nvidia will pay the $100,000 fee imposed by the government for new H-1B applicants, ensuring employees don’t bear the cost.

3. Who does this affect?

This applies to new H-1B visa applications filed after September 21, 2025. Existing H-1B holders and applications before this date are exempt.

4. Why is Nvidia taking this step?

Nvidia believes legal immigration is essential for maintaining U.S. leadership in AI and technology, and this policy helps retain global talent.

NVIDIA CEO on AI, Talent, and Data Center Needs

NVIDIA’s CEO, Jensen Huang, recently said the U.S. is “not far ahead” of China when it comes to AI development, highlighting growing competition in the technology space. He stressed that innovation is accelerating globally, and the race in AI is becoming increasingly close.

Huang also praised President Donald Trump’s H-1B visa policies, saying they help NVIDIA attract top talent from around the world, enabling the company to remain competitive. On the demand side, he noted that interest in NVIDIA’s Blackwell technology is “really, really” strong, signaling robust growth potential.

Additionally, Huang called for increased investment in power supply infrastructure for data centers, emphasizing that stronger energy capabilities are critical to supporting the expanding demands of AI and computing workloads.

Conclusion

Nvidia’s decision to cover the $100,000 H-1B visa fee is a significant move in the tech industry. It ensures that skilled workers, many from India and China, can continue contributing to U.S. innovation without being burdened by the cost of new immigration regulations.