OpenAI, Anthropic and Nvidia increased their H-1B visa filings in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, even as several other major technology companies reduced their use of the programme, according to federal labour data, as cited by Business Insider.
The rise comes amid an intensifying competition for artificial intelligence talent and follows a US federal court decision to block the Trump administration's proposed $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa applicants living overseas.
AI companies are continuing to expand their search for highly specialised researchers, engineers and infrastructure experts despite growing uncertainty around US immigration policies and higher costs associated with hiring foreign workers, according to Business Insider report.
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AI firms buck wider industry trend
According to the report, foreign-born workers with specialised skills have become increasingly important to the talent strategies of AI companies as the pool of qualified candidates remains limited.
Anthropic recorded the sharpest year-on-year increase among the companies reviewed. The AI startup filed 59 certified H-1B applications in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, up from 10 during the same period a year earlier.
OpenAI's certified applications rose from 20 to 63 over the same period, while Nvidia's filings increased to 765 from 641.
In contrast, several technology giants reported declines. Meta's certified applications fell 3 per cent year-on-year to 1,715. Microsoft's filings dropped 20 per cent to 1,993, while Amazon's declined 30 per cent to 4,241. Google recorded the steepest fall among the group, with applications dropping 64 per cent to 1,844.
The differing hiring patterns highlight a shift within the technology sector, where companies are reducing overall headcount while investing heavily in smaller teams focused on artificial intelligence and advanced research.
H-1B policy changes reshape hiring landscape
The H-1B programme has undergone significant changes in recent months. New regulations now give higher-paid applicants a greater chance of selection in the annual visa lottery, shifting the system in favour of experienced and highly compensated professionals.
ALSO READ: Trump calls court freeze on $100,000 H-1B fee ‘crazy’ and 'hurting our country'
At the same time, the Trump administration introduced a temporary $100,000 fee for certain H-1B applicants living outside the United States, arguing that it would discourage misuse of the programme and prioritise American workers.
However, a federal judge blocked the fee on Monday, ruling that the administration lacked the legal authority to impose it.
