Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has welcomed President Donald Trump’s overhaul of the H-1B visa program but warned that the new $100,000 application fee may be prohibitively expensive, potentially driving tech investment and talent away from the United States.Speaking on the “BG2 Pod” podcast published Friday, Huang described the policy changes as “a great start” that addresses illegal immigration and visa system abuse. However, he cautioned that the steep fee “probably sets the bar a little too high” and could make foreign students uncomfortable about pursuing opportunities in America.The Taiwan-born executive, who has frequently cited his own experience as an embodiment of the American dream, emphasised that talent inflow serves as a key performance indicator for the country’s future success. “Smart people’s desire to come to America and smart students’ desire to stay, those are what I would call KPIs,” Huang said on the podcast.
Jensen Huang says high costs risk driving talent and investment overseas
Huang agreed with tech investor and podcaster Brad Gerstner that the substantial fee tilts the playing field toward large technology companies that can easily afford visa sponsorships, placing startups at a competitive disadvantage. He warned that the policy could prompt increased investment outside the US and affect global talent flows.The Nvidia chief also addressed concerns about Chinese researchers, separating America’s competition with China as a nation from policies affecting Chinese individuals. “We need to make sure that that slippery slope isn’t crossed,” he said.
‘Brightest minds’ essential to America’s future argues Huang
In a separate CNBC interview Monday, Huang reinforced his position on immigration reform. “We want all the brightest minds to come to the United States. Remember immigration is the foundation of the American dream, and we represent the American dream,” he told CNBC, expressing support for Trump’s efforts to address the immigration system.Nvidia employed 1,519 H-1B visa holders out of 36,000 employees worldwide at the end of fiscal year 2025, making it one of the largest tech employers of H-1B workers in the United States, according to a Business Insider analysis from March. The White House clarified earlier this month that the $100,000 fee applies only to new applicants, not visa renewals.
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