Even as immigration rules grow tighter, the United States’ biggest technology companies continue to rely heavily on H-1B visa holders to drive their artificial intelligence ambitions. Fresh data and expert opinions make one thing clear. Without skilled foreign professionals, especially from countries like India, America’s goal of staying ahead in the global AI race could be at risk. A recent report by Forbes highlights how deeply foreign born professionals are now embedded in the AI strategies of US tech giants. An analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy shows that more than 80 percent of Labour Condition Applications filed for new H-1B roles in FY2025 were linked to AI related jobs.
Indian Talent at the Core of AI Hiring
Companies such as Amazon, Meta Platforms, Google, Microsoft and Apple are leading this hiring push. Amazon filed over 60 percent of its applications for software developer roles, while Google crossed 70 percent in the same category. These roles are largely filled by highly skilled engineers and researchers, many of whom come from India. For Indian professionals, this trend translates into strong job opportunities in areas like machine learning, data science, cloud computing and AI research. Indian graduates from US universities also form a major part of this talent pool, as they already have hands-on exposure to cutting-edge technology and global work environments.
Immigration Curbs Create Uncertainty
Despite strong demand, uncertainty continues to surround the H-1B programme under policies introduced during the administration of Donald Trump. Proposed changes include a wage based selection system and an additional 100,000 dollar fee for selected H-1B petitions. For many companies, this significantly increases the cost of hiring foreign professionals. There are also proposals to restrict student visas and Optional Practical Training. This is worrying because international students make up nearly 70 percent of graduate enrolment in AI related fields. For Indian students in particular, OPT has long been a crucial bridge between education and full-time employment in the US.
What This Means for the US and India
Experts warn that tighter immigration rules could push companies to move AI jobs outside the US, possibly to countries like India, where talent is abundant.
As American tech firms go all in on artificial intelligence, their dependence on global talent is becoming unavoidable. For Indian engineers and students, the AI boom still offers significant opportunities. At the same time, policymakers in the US face a tough choice. If immigration rules become too restrictive, the country could slow innovation and lose its edge in the global AI race, even as demand for skilled talent continues to grow.
The post AI Boom Keeps H-1B Jobs Alive for Indian Tech Professionals appeared first on Telugu360.
AI Boom Keeps H-1B Jobs Alive for Indian Tech Professionals
