• NVIDIA will continue sponsoring H-1B visas despite a new $100,000 fee per application imposed by recent executive action.
  • CEO Jensen Huang emphasized immigration's critical role in the company's success and broader U.S. tech competitiveness.
  • The move highlights growing tension between national immigration policy and tech industry demands for specialized talent.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has committed to continuing the company's sponsorship of H-1B visas for foreign workers, including absorbing all costs associated with a new $100,000 fee per application mandated by a recent executive order from President Trump. The announcement comes as the semiconductor industry faces projected shortages of tens of thousands of skilled workers by 2030, many requiring advanced degrees that are in short supply domestically.

"We will continue to sponsor H-1B visas and cover all associated costs," Huang told Business Insider, emphasizing the critical role immigration plays in NVIDIA's operations and the broader technology ecosystem. The company's stance puts it at odds with the administration's efforts to restrict foreign worker programs, though Huang stopped short of directly criticizing the policy itself.

While large firms like NVIDIA can absorb the substantial fee increase, industry analysts note the financial burden could prove prohibitive for smaller startups and emerging tech companies. The $100,000 per application fee represents one of the most significant cost increases for H-1B sponsorship in recent years and comes amid growing global competition for semiconductor and AI talent.

Other chip manufacturers including Intel, Micron, and Qualcomm also rely heavily on H-1B talent and face similar financial impacts from the new rule. However, none have yet made public commitments matching NVIDIA's pledge to cover the full cost increase for prospective employees.

Regulatory filings show NVIDIA has consistently been among the top sponsors of H-1B visas in the technology sector, with thousands of positions dependent on the program. The company's rapid growth in artificial intelligence and data center solutions has intensified its need for specialized engineering talent that often requires international recruitment.

Spokespeople for several competing semiconductor firms declined to comment on whether they would follow NVIDIA's lead in absorbing the new costs, though people familiar with the matter said internal discussions are ongoing at multiple companies. The Semiconductor Industry Association has previously warned that restrictive immigration policies could hamper the construction of advanced chip plants in the United States.

As other countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, and European Union members ease skilled worker visa processes to attract tech talent, the U.S. policy shift risks creating competitive disadvantages for domestic firms. Industry experts suggest specialized visa categories for critical technology sectors might help balance domestic employment concerns with the reality of global talent competition.

NVIDIA shares were largely unchanged in afternoon trading following the announcement, suggesting investors see the additional costs as manageable for the chipmaker's substantial profit margins. The company's commitment to maintaining its international recruitment pipeline underscores the ongoing tension between national policy objectives and the global nature of technology innovation.