A sweeping new executive order signed by President Donald Trump last week shocked the US tech industry, slapping a six-figure, $100,000 application fee on new H-1B visa petitions. The directive, intended to overhaul what the White House calls an abused system, has generated confusion and worry across Silicon Valley. In an exclusive interview on Monday, two of the industry’s most influential voices—Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman—offered measured reactions, emphasizing the need for access to top global talent.

Background: The H-1B Program and Trump’s Fee Hike

The H-1B visa, widely used by leading technology companies, allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. Historically, Big Tech firms such as Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google, Apple, and Nvidia have sponsored tens of thousands of skilled workers through the program annually. According to a 2023 analysis by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), over 400,000 H-1B applications were filed in fiscal year 2023 alone.

President Trump’s order, issued on September 20, 2025, introduced a $100,000 fee for all new H-1B visa applications, a dramatic jump from previous fees that typically ranged between $460 to just under $10,000, depending on the employer and circumstances. The order does not apply to current H-1B holders or renewals, according to a Saturday clarification from the White House. Administration officials argue the new measure is necessary to “safeguard American jobs” and ensure the visa system continues to attract only the most qualified candidates.

Silicon Valley’s Initial Reactions: Uncertainty and Caution

Almost immediately, Silicon Valley firms began issuing urgent guidance to employees on H-1B visas, instructing them not to travel internationally or return to the US as quickly as possible if already abroad. Internal memos from major tech employers, as reported by Business Insider and The New York Times, highlight the deep unease and operational challenges the sudden announcement has created.

An estimated 70% of tech industry H-1B holders are of Indian origin, according to the National Foundation for American Policy, with many taking up crucial roles in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and chip design—fields core to the missions of companies like Nvidia and OpenAI.

Leaders Voice Support for Talent—But Signal Acceptance of Change

Despite the chaos, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang conveyed a supportive tone regarding the overall direction of the administration. “We want all the brightest minds to come to the United States. Remember, immigration is the foundation of the American dream, and we represent the American dream,” Huang stated in the Monday interview with CNBC. “I think immigration is really important to our company and to our nation’s future, and I’m glad to see President Trump making the moves he’s making.”

Nvidia, one of Silicon Valley’s fastest-growing and most valuable companies, reported over 1,500 H-1B filings among its 36,000 global employees as of early 2025. Its influence in the AI sector makes the company highly dependent on a robust flow of high-skilled immigrants for continued innovation and competitiveness.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman echoed similar sentiments, focusing on aligning incentives. “We need to get the smartest people in the country, and streamlining that process and also sort of aligning financial incentives seems good to me,” said Altman. This reflects a pragmatic view that, while the fee may pose a hurdle, it could ultimately prioritize the best talent for critical US-based roles.

Behind the Numbers: Impact on Tech Hiring and U.S. Competitiveness

The US remains the world’s top destination for tech talent, but mounting barriers to entry, including visa restrictions and cost, have led to increased competition globally. Canada, the UK, and Singapore have responded with more accessible immigration pathways for tech workers. Recent data from the Brookings Institution shows that the US tech sector employs over 500,000 H-1B workers, many filling roles in areas with domestic talent shortages.

A sharp rise in application costs could have a chilling effect on early-stage startups and smaller firms unable to absorb the additional burden. Critics argue the new fee favors deep-pocketed tech giants while further limiting opportunities for both skilled immigrants and the US companies that rely on them for innovation.

Nvidia and OpenAI: Betting Big, Navigating Change

Huang and Altman’s remarks came as both executives announced a landmark $100 billion collaboration, signaling confidence in the US as a center for AI research and development—even as the landscape shifts. Industry analysts note the policy could accelerate ongoing consolidation in the sector, with dominant players like Nvidia and OpenAI well-positioned to weather increased hiring costs.

Nvidia’s outsized role in the development of AI hardware and cloud infrastructure, combined with OpenAI’s pioneering software models, underscores the strategic necessity for both firms to tap a global talent pool. In fiscal year 2024, Nvidia surpassed $80 billion in revenue, much of it driven by demand for its advanced AI processors used in everything from self-driving cars to generative AI platforms.

What Comes Next: Policy, Industry, and Human Impact

White House officials maintain the H-1B fee hike is targeted at addressing abuses and ensuring American workers are fairly considered. However, economists warn the long-term risk is the potential migration of top global talent to friendlier markets, with repercussions for US innovation and economic growth.

Major advocacy groups, including Compete America and the Partnership for a New American Economy, are already lobbying Congress to revisit the policy, citing concerns over US competitiveness and diversity in STEM fields. Meanwhile, legal challenges are expected in the coming months as immigration attorneys and business groups contest the administration’s authority to set such high fees.

For now, tech leaders like Huang and Altman strike a careful balance—voicing support for American ideals of attracting the best and brightest, while adapting to a landscape that now looks costlier and more complex for aspiring immigrant innovators and the companies that depend on them.