Big tech giants such as Amazon, Meta, Google, and Microsoft have drastically cut back on their H-1B visa petitions, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Labor. Filings for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, covering October to December 2025, show a steep decline compared to the same period in the previous year. This trend underscores a broader shift in the tech industry, characterized by significant layoffs and a more cautious approach to hiring skilled foreign workers.
Amazon saw its certified applications fall from 4,647 in Q1 2025 to 3,057 in Q1 2026. Meta and Google experienced a reduction of nearly 50% in their H-1B filings year-over-year. Apple and Microsoft also reported fewer petitions, though the decrease was less pronounced than at Meta and Google. This reduction in H-1B applications reflects a combination of factors, including policy changes that have made the visa process more expensive and subject to greater scrutiny, as well as the ongoing trend of layoffs and hiring freezes across the tech sector.
Immigration lawyers note that companies are becoming more selective in who they sponsor for H-1B visas. The increased costs and tighter regulations, including a previously proposed $100,000 fee for new petitions for workers abroad and a lottery system favoring higher-paid applicants, have contributed to this trend. The overall reduction in workforce through layoffs also means that companies require fewer new hires, further impacting the demand for H-1B visas. While most major tech firms have reduced filings, Nvidia stood out as an exception, increasing its petitions, with CEO Jensen Huang reaffirming the company's commitment to hiring immigrants.
These figures represent Labor Department certifications, not final visa approvals. The decline in H-1B petitions is a clear indicator of the changing landscape for skilled foreign workers in the U.S. tech industry, influenced by both economic pressures and evolving government policies. Companies that were once aggressive in staffing up have now shifted towards leaner operations, making them more deliberate in their talent acquisition strategies.
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