Big Tech firms are hiring H-1B visa holders for artificial intelligence roles. Amazon, Meta, Google, Microsoft, and Apple are focusing on skilled talent for AI development. This hiring surge aligns with massive investments in AI. International students form a key talent pipeline. Policy changes could impact these plans.

US technology companies are hiring H-1B visa holders largely to support their artificial intelligence ambitions, according to an analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy. The data show that more than 80% of labour condition applications certified for new H-1B petitions in FY 2025 for Amazon, Meta, Google, Microsoft and Apple were linked to AI-related roles.

The findings come at a time when US immigration policies are under scrutiny, even as the country aims to remain a global leader in artificial intelligence. The concentration of AI-linked hiring suggests that access to skilled talent remains central to Big Tech’s long-term plans.

AI roles dominate H-1B filings
The data reveal a sharp focus on advanced technology roles among top US technology firms. Nearly 60% of H-1B positions certified for the five companies in FY 2025 were for software developers, compared with just 23% of such roles across all US employers.

This contrast highlights how large technology firms are using the H-1B programme primarily for specialised roles tied to AI development rather than for general hiring needs. The figures are based on labour condition applications certified during the first three quarters of FY 2025 for new employment.