Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has reassured employees that the company will continue sponsoring H-1B visas for foreign workers, despite US President Donald Trump new policy imposing a $100,000 fee on each new application.
Huang internal message to staff, first reported by Business Insider and later confirmed by Reuters, sought to calm concerns among the company global workforce, many of whom are immigrants living and working in the United States under the highly-skilled H-1B visa program.
Jensen Huang: “No Immigration, No Nvidia”
In the memo, Huang — himself an immigrant who moved to the US from Taiwan as a child — credited immigration as the foundation of Nvidia success.
“As one of many immigrants at Nvidia, I know that the opportunities we’ve found in America have profoundly shaped our lives,” he wrote.
“And the miracle of Nvidia — built by all of you, and by brilliant colleagues around the world — would not be possible without immigration.”
Huang went on to describe legal immigration as essential for the US to maintain its global leadership in technology and innovation, stressing that the country ability to attract top global talent drives progress in fields such as AI, chip design, and computing.
“Legal immigration remains essential to ensuring the US continues to lead in technology and ideas,” he said, adding that the Trump administration recent changes “reaffirm this need.”
Trump $100,000 Visa Fee Sparks Backlash
Last month, President Donald Trump announced a controversial executive order that dramatically increased the cost of new H-1B visa applications to $100,000 per applicant.
The administration stated that the new policy is aimed at encouraging US firms to hire American workers instead of relying on foreign professionals. However, critics argue that the move will hurt innovation, especially in sectors like technology, engineering, and healthcare — industries that heavily depend on skilled immigrant talent.
The order applies only to new applicants and not to existing H-1B holders or those who filed applications before September 21, 2025.
While many companies are still assessing the financial implications of this fee, Huang message signals Nvidia firm stance on supporting immigrant talent, even if it means bearing additional costs.
Tech Industry Reacts
The US tech sector — including giants like Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple — has long relied on H-1B visas to fill roles that require specialized expertise. In recent years, these companies have pushed back against restrictive immigration policies, arguing that such measures limit access to top talent and weaken America global competitiveness.
California, home to Silicon Valley, consistently ranks as the top US region for H-1B applications, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data. Since 2018, the majority of these applications have come from major tech companies and startups developing AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor technologies.
Nvidia Immigrant Legacy
Founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang along with Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem, Nvidia rise to become the world most valuable semiconductor company is deeply tied to immigrant contributions.
Huang’s reaffirmation of Nvidia commitment to its global workforce underscores a broader point — that diversity and inclusion remain central to innovation in the technology sector.
As the US government continues to tighten visa regulations, industry leaders like Huang are emphasizing that America technological dominance was built — and still depends — on the creativity and expertise of immigrants.
“Nvidia would not be possible without immigration,” Huang wrote in his note to employees, a statement that resonated deeply across Silicon Valley.
