H-1B Visa Fees: Excitement in Silicon Valley – Optimism at Nvidia and OpenAI

The recently announced changes to the H-1B visa program caused some confusion in the tech hub of Silicon Valley over the weekend. Nevertheless, some leading figures in the technology sector remain optimistic. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman commented in an interview with CNBC on the adjustments introduced by President Donald Trump's order, which provides for a fee of $100,000 for visa applications. Huang emphasized that immigration is central to the American dream, which both his company and the country embody. Nvidia is one of the largest employers of H-1B visa holders in the U.S. According to a Business Insider report from March, Nvidia had submitted 1,519 H-1B applications worldwide at the end of fiscal year 2025, with a total of 36,000 employees. Altman also supported the significance of the changes, adding that it is crucial to bring the brightest minds into the country and optimize the process while aligning financial incentives accordingly. During the discussion, Huang and Altman announced a $100 billion investment by Nvidia in OpenAI. While Nvidia did not provide further comments, OpenAI did not respond to inquiries. The order caused uncertainty, particularly among large tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft, as they advised their employees not to leave the U.S. or urged employees abroad to return as soon as possible. The White House clarification states that the fee is only relevant for new applicants and not for visas already granted. The U.S. hopes to attract highly skilled professionals through the fee and prevent jobs from being given to individuals who might compete with Americans for employment.