Nvidia CEO Says Chipmaker will Continue to Sponsor H-1B Visas
Jensen Huang, CEO of semiconductor company Nvidia, announced that the organization will maintain its support for H-1B visa sponsorships and bear all related expenses after President Donald Trump issued an executive order last month establishing a $100,000 charge for each new visa application, according to reports.
The CEO's statement, designed to calm employee concerns, followed widespread anxiety and uncertainty among technology professionals holding H-1B visas, many of whom originate from India and China.
Similar to other companies in the semiconductor and technology sectors, Nvidia employs a substantial workforce from international locations. Huang has consistently stated that approximately half of the world's artificial intelligence researchers are of Chinese origin.
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"As one of many immigrants at Nvidia, I know that the opportunities we've found in America have profoundly shaped our lives," Huang wrote in a message to staff.
"And the miracle of Nvidia - built by all of you, and by brilliant colleagues around the world - would not be possible without immigration," Huang added
Trump's directive prevents newly approved H-1B visa holders from entering the country unless their sponsoring company provides an extra $100,000 payment. The current administration has clarified that this requirement does not affect individuals who currently possess H-1B visas or those who filed applications prior to September 21.
H-1B visas enable companies to recruit international workers for specialized professional roles.
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In late September, members of Congress requested that prominent American corporations justify their practice of hiring thousands of international workers through H-1B visas while simultaneously reducing positions in other areas.
Huang said that "legal immigration remains essential to ensuring the US continues to lead in technology and ideas," and that the Trump administration's "recent changes reaffirm this."
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California, home to Silicon Valley and multiple tech giants, including Nvidia, has consistently ranked first in the country since 2018 in the number of visa applications received annually, according to USCIS data.