Nvidia boosts H-1B hiring as Meta, Google and Amazon scale back foreign recruitment

Amid large-scale layoffs by tech giants like Meta and reduced H-1B intake, Nvidia has doubled down on hiring foreign talent. Unlike its rivals, the AI giant has not only continued to hire foreign workers but has also increased its H-1B visa intake.

Hiring bucks industry trend

According to data from the latest federal filings, Nvidia has obtained certification for around 1,200 H-1B positions in the first two quarters of fiscal 2026. This marks an increase of about 1,000 compared to the same period last year, according to Business Insider.

Also Read: Inside AI gold rush: Massive tech layoffs contrast with jaw-dropping Samsung bonuses

This stands in sharp contrast with other tech giants like Google, whose H-1B hiring has come down to around 2,200 from 5,100 last year. As for Amazon, the numbers came down to about 4,300 from 6,100 over the same period.

AI boom fuels recruitment

Nvidia's recruitment drive comes as the company cements its position as one of the world's most desirable employers. At the heart of the AI surge, Nvidia's technology powers a vast range of applications, from ChatGPT-style systems to the massive data centres that support modern artificial intelligence workloads.

Also Read: Meta announces 8,000 layoffs amid AI-led workforce restructuring

The company's rise has been closely tied to its ability to attract highly skilled talent. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who was born in Taiwan before immigrating to the US, has frequently spoken about the role immigrant professionals have played in building the company.

Pay packages revealed

Recent federal filings also offer a glimpse into how aggressively Nvidia is competing for talent. The disclosed figures cover base salaries only and do not include stock awards, bonuses or other incentives that can substantially boost total compensation.

Also Read: Indian H-1B workers face 60-day window as US tech layoffs intensify: Report

Among software engineers, annual base pay can reach USD 391,000, or roughly Rs 3.72 crore. Research scientists can earn up to USD 356,500, equivalent to around Rs 3.39 crore. Product managers are eligible for salaries as high as USD 379,500, while hardware engineering managers can receive up to USD 368,000, translating to nearly Rs 3.50 crore a year.

Top roles cross Rs 4 crore

Compensation climbs even higher for senior leadership positions. Architecture directors can earn as much as USD 488,750 in base salary alone, or approximately Rs 4.64 crore annually.

Also Read: Amazon plans second round of layoffs as part of 30,000 job cuts

Some of the company's most specialised technical roles are also among its highest paid. Distinguished AI algorithms engineers can receive up to USD 471,500, while principal systems software engineers can earn as much as USD 431,250.

The hiring spans multiple functions, including AI research, chip development, software engineering, cloud infrastructure and customer-facing technical teams.

Uncertain visa landscape

Yet the wider H-1B environment remains uncertain. As compliance requirements tighten and scrutiny around visa programmes increases, many technology companies have scaled back sponsorship efforts.

For Indian professionals, the trend is particularly significant. Indians account for roughly 71-73 per cent of approved H-1B beneficiaries, making them the largest contributor to the US technology talent pipeline