OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia: AI Talent Battle Heats Up

Major AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Nvidia are significantly increasing their H-1B visa applications for foreign workers. This is happening even as other tech giants reduce their reliance on the program. For instance, Anthropic's certified applications rose to 59 in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, up from 10 a year earlier. OpenAI filed 63 applications in the same period, an increase from 20. Nvidia, while having a smaller percentage increase, still dominates with 765 applications in Q2 2026, up from 641. This trend stands out because the visa process has become more expensive and uncertain, including a temporary $100,000 fee for some applicants. Recruiters suggest these AI companies have a "do whatever it takes" mindset for securing top talent. The bottom line is that the battle for specialized AI talent is intensifying, pushing leading companies to invest heavily in recruiting skilled workers from abroad.