Outlook Business Desk
Starting September 21, the United States will charge a one-time $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applicants. This significant increase is expected to affect skilled professionals globally, especially those aiming for careers in technology, innovation, and cutting-edge industries.
Introduced in 1990, the H-1B visa lets US companies employ foreign professionals in specialised fields. Over the years, it has helped immigrants pursue the American Dream, opening doors to careers in technology, finance, and entrepreneurial ventures.
The H-1B visa has helped numerous influential leaders in technology and business build their careers in the United States. Notable holders include Satya Nadella of Microsoft, Tesla's Elon Musk, and Rajiv Jain of GQG Partners, among several other prominent innovators.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella switched to an H-1B visa in 1994 after facing initial green card challenges. Under his leadership, Microsoft grew into a global leader in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, highlighting how immigrant talent drives advanced technological growth.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, and SpaceX, started in the US on a J-1 visa before switching to an H-1B for academic training. He has criticised visa restrictions, noting they limit global talent, while his companies employ many foreign engineers.
Rajiv Jain, Chairman of GQG Partners, moved to the US in the 1990s and secured an H-1B visa. In 2016, he co-founded GQG Partners, overseeing assets exceeding $150 billion, and has championed the use of global talent in finance and technology.
Andrew Ng, Co-founder of Coursera, DeepLearning.AI, and Google Brain, came to the US in 1993 on an F-1 visa and later secured an H-1B while at Stanford University. He is a leading figure in AI and deep learning education, reaching millions globally.
Eric Yuan, Founder and CEO of Zoom, faced eight H-1B rejections before finally obtaining one in 1997. He created Zoom, now a global video conferencing leader, and emphasises the role of H-1B and other immigrant pathways in building competitive technology companies.
Jeff Skoll, former President of eBay, initially held an H-1B visa while driving eBay’s early growth. He later moved to an O-1 visa, gained US citizenship in 2007, and became a billionaire philanthropist funding global social impact initiatives through the Skoll Foundation.