Companies like Amazon, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, and other top names have been found to increase the number of H-1B visa applications, according to a new analysis. Despite the recent rise in controversies related to the H-1B visa status lately, American tech giants are increasingly relying on international talent to run their operations, according to a Newsweek report.
As part of the new data, Amazon leads the fiscal year 2025 with an increase of 787 approvals, bringing its total to over 10,000. JPMorgan Chase followed with a jump of 721 approvals, and Microsoft saw a rise of 464. This is despite substantial layoffs throughout the year across their global offices and various departments.
Other major players in the top ten included Apple, Meta Platforms, and Tata Consultancy Services.
American tech giants increasing H-1B visa applications
The H-1B visa program allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialised fields. However, this specialised visa has long been a subject of political and social debate. Critics argue the program is used to bring in cheaper labour from developing nations, potentially undercutting job opportunities for American workers. This criticism has intensified, with some activists and tech workers raising calls to end the program.
Hence, the Trump administration is reportedly preparing to overhaul the program with stricter rules. Proposed changes could include a wage-based selection process for the visa lottery, which would prioritise higher-paid workers over a random selection. Such reforms would impact non-US professionals, especially from countries like India, which are the largest beneficiaries of the program.
Are these numbers accurate?
Immigration experts caution that the raw H-1B visa approval numbers can be misleading. A big portion of these approvals is not for new hires but for visa renewals and transfers for existing employees, many of whom were hired during the pandemic and previous years. Representatives from Amazon confirmed that visa renewals and an improved lottery selection rate for legitimate employers were key drivers behind their numbers.
Hence, despite the triple-digit number approvals, these companies may not be hiring new talent – rather, they could be replenishing existing valuable talent.
