In a strong reaffirmation of its commitment to global talent, chipmaking giant Nvidia has announced it will continue to sponsor H-1B work visas for its employees and absorb all associated costs, including a significant new annual fee imposed by the US government. The decision comes directly from the top, with CEO Jensen Huang sending an internal memo to staff addressing recent policy changes.
CEO's Memo Champions the American Dream
Jensen Huang, who himself immigrated to the United States from Taiwan, framed the move as a core principle for innovation. In the memo, he stated that immigration is at the heart of the American dream and serves as a powerful symbol of opportunity. He highlighted his personal journey, noting he is "one of many immigrants" at Nvidia, and credited the company's success to brilliant colleagues from around the world.
"H-1B visas provide a vital pathway for exceptional talent to contribute to America's growth and innovation," Huang wrote. He emphasized that legal immigration remains essential for ensuring the United States continues to lead in technology and groundbreaking ideas.
Responding to New $100,000 Visa Fee
This corporate pledge follows an executive order from President Donald Trump that introduces an annual fee of $100,000 on H-1B visas. While the policy aims to address issues of illegal immigration and potential abuse of the visa system, it has raised concerns within the technology sector about attracting top international talent.
Huang had previously commented on these changes during an appearance on the "BG2 Pod" podcast last month. He described the new fees as "a great start" for reform but expressed concern that the high cost "probably sets the bar a little too high." He warned that such a steep fee could deter foreign students from seeking careers in America, which he views as a critical loss.
Talent Inflow as a National KPI
The Nvidia founder presented a unique metric for measuring national success. On the podcast, he argued that the desire of smart people to come to America and of intelligent students to stay after their education should be seen as key performance indicators (KPIs) for the country's future. For Nvidia, a company that recently made history by becoming the first to reach a $4 trillion market valuation, accessing this global talent pool is non-negotiable.
"At Nvidia, we built our company with extraordinary people from around the world, and we will continue to sponsor H-1B applicants and cover all associated fees," Huang assured employees in his memo. He directed staff with questions to the company's internal immigration support team, NVIDIA-Immigration.
This stance positions Nvidia as a leader in corporate advocacy for skilled immigration at a time of significant policy shift, ensuring its pipelines for engineering and research talent from countries like India remain open.
