Donald Trump’s campaign has signaled significant changes to the H-1B visa program if he returns to the White House in 2025, potentially reshaping the landscape for tech companies and AI innovation in America. According to recent reports, the Trump team is considering dramatic restrictions to the program that currently allows U.S. companies to employ skilled foreign workers, particularly in technology fields. These proposed changes include potentially halving the number of H-1B visas issued annually and implementing a minimum salary requirement of $150,000 to $200,000 for visa holders—nearly double the current average.
Such reforms could have profound implications for the tech industry and AI development, where foreign talent plays a crucial role. Major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta rely heavily on the H-1B program to fill specialized positions, particularly in artificial intelligence research and development. With the AI race heating up globally, restricting access to international talent could potentially hamper U.S. competitiveness in this critical field. Industry leaders argue that the proposed salary floors would make it prohibitively expensive to hire foreign workers, even as companies struggle to find sufficient domestic talent with advanced AI expertise.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/bi-today-sunday-newsletter-trump-h-1b-visa-changes-2025-9