In a groundbreaking shift, major tech companies like Amazon, Google, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft have topped the list for H-1B visa petition approvals in 2025. This change underscores the industry’s escalating demand for global tech talent amidst an increasing focus on artificial intelligence.

The Race for AI Expertise

Amazon stands at the forefront with 4,644 approved H-1B petitions for initial employment—leading the pack. They are followed by Meta with 1,555, Microsoft with 1,394, and Google with 1,050 approvals. According to mint, these companies are channeling substantial resources—$380 billion—into AI and related tech investments.

A New Chapter for Indian Companies

Interestingly, the dominance of these US tech giants marks a departure from previous trends where Indian firms were often at the helm of H-1B approvals. In 2025, only three Indian enterprises made the top 25, illustrating a significant 70% reduction from the numbers back in 2015.

A Low Approval Rate and Its Implications

The H-1B program hit its yearly limit with only 85,000 approvals, despite 442,000 unique applicants entering the lottery. Analysts argue that this quota is strikingly low, representing a mere 0.05% of the US labor force. Denial rates, however, have experienced some respite post-2020, contrasting sharply with the widespread rejections during the Trump administration.

Shifting Job Landscapes and Innovation

As emphasized by experts from the Wharton School of Business, stringent H-1B policies could inadvertently push innovation offshore, compelling companies to establish foreign partnerships at an almost one-to-one ratio. Economist Giovanni Peri’s research highlights how such restrictions thwart potential job creation for US workers, counterintuitively dampening domestic economic impetus.

The analysis reveals a widespread application of H-1B visas by various employers across the United States. A noteworthy 61% of employers had just a single H-1B petition approved, while over half were granted to companies receiving 15 or fewer approvals. The predominant sector continues to be professional, scientific, and technical services.

Economic Repercussions

The tech industry remains a major player in the evolving job market, with employment in computer and mathematical professions in the US—comprising both native and foreign-born—rising by nearly 166% between 2003 and 2024. Such data reflect the dynamism within the labor market, dismissing the notion of a fixed number of available jobs.

The unfolding scenario in the US tech sector, and in particular the deepening integration of global talent, underscores the complex dynamics in play amidst the AI surge. As these companies forge ahead, the evolution of workforce policies will continue to shape the future of innovation and competitiveness in America.

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