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In a surprising shift within the global tech talent landscape, Amazon has emerged as the largest sponsor of H-1B visa holders in the United States for fiscal year 2025–26, overtaking traditional Indian IT giants like Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys. According to the latest data released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Amazon employed 10,044 H-1B visa workers as of June 2025, making it the top destination for foreign tech professionals seeking employment in the US.
This development comes amid sweeping changes to the H-1B visa program under President Donald Trump’s administration, including a controversial annual fee of USD 100,000 per visa petition. The new policy aims to curb what the administration calls systemic abuse of the program, particularly by outsourcing firms, and to prioritize highly skilled foreign workers over entry-level hires.
Key Highlights From The 2025 H-1B Visa Landscape
- Amazon leads with 10,044 H-1B visa workers, followed by TCS with 5,505
- Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google round out the top six sponsors
- Infosys, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra trail behind with fewer than 2,000 visa holders each
- USCIS confirms the annual cap of 85,000 visas has been reached for FY 2026
- Trump’s executive order imposes a USD 100,000 fee per H-1B petition, effective September 21, 2025
Amazon’s Hiring Strategy And Global Talent Footprint
Amazon’s dominance in H-1B sponsorship reflects its aggressive expansion across cloud computing, AI, logistics, and e-commerce. The company’s reliance on foreign talent spans software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, and product development. With operations in over 100 countries and a growing portfolio of AWS services, Amazon’s need for specialized skills has outpaced domestic supply.
The company’s internal advisory reportedly urges visa holders to avoid international travel due to the new re-entry fee, signaling a shift in mobility and retention strategies. Amazon’s legal and HR teams are also preparing for increased scrutiny under Project Firewall, a federal enforcement initiative targeting visa fraud and compliance violations.
Impact On Indian IT Firms
While TCS remains the second-largest H-1B sponsor with 5,505 approvals, the gap between Indian firms and US-based tech companies is widening. Infosys, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra have seen a decline in visa approvals, partly due to increased regulatory pressure and the high cost of compliance under the new fee structure.
Indian IT firms, which traditionally relied on the H-1B program to deploy engineers and consultants to US clients, are now recalibrating their global delivery models. Many are investing in nearshore centers, local hiring, and remote service delivery to mitigate visa-related risks.
Policy Shifts And Industry Response
The Trump administration’s proclamation, titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, mandates that H-1B petitions must include a USD 100,000 payment to be considered valid. The rule applies to new entries, re-entries, and employer transfers, effectively limiting career mobility for foreign workers.
Industry groups have criticized the move, arguing that it penalizes innovation and disproportionately affects Indian professionals, who constitute nearly 70 percent of all H-1B holders. The fee exceeds the median salary of many entry-level tech workers and may deter companies from sponsoring junior talent.
Looking Ahead
As the fiscal year progresses, companies will need to reassess their talent acquisition strategies in light of rising visa costs and regulatory uncertainty. Amazon’s lead in H-1B sponsorship underscores the growing demand for global expertise in high-tech sectors, but also highlights the challenges of navigating an increasingly protectionist immigration framework.
Sources: MSN News, Times Now, News18, Financial Express.
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