Since 1990, the H-1B visa has been a cornerstone of Silicon Valley’s growth, enabling US companies to hire highly skilled professionals when domestic talent was scarce. The recent introduction of a $100,000 fee for new petitions has added confusion and uncertainty to the programme’s future. In this context, the careers of leaders such as Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, and Satya Nadella and many other tech leaders highlight how H-1B holders have shaped US technology, driving innovation, building global companies, and sustaining America’s competitive edge.
