‘We need brightest minds, smartest people’: Jensen Huang, Sam Altman back Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike

US President Donald Trump on September 19 announced a steep increase in H-1B visa application fees, setting the price at $100,000 per petition.

With the new development, employers now must provide proof of payment before filing, and petitions will be restricted for 12 months until the fees are cleared. The change marks one of the sharpest shifts in the decades-old programme that has long been a lifeline for American tech and finance companies to hire talent from abroad.

Huang and Altman strike a supportive note

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI chief Sam Altman expressed support for the move in a joint interview with a foreign news outlet. They also revealed a landmark partnership in which Nvidia will invest $100 billion in OpenAI to build vast data centres powered by its processors.

“We want all the brightest minds to come to the US and remember immigration is the foundation of the American Dream,” Huang said, describing Trump’s approach as “really important to our company and our nation’s future.”

Altman added, “We need to get the smartest people in the country, and streamlining that process and outlining financial incentives seems good to me.”

Also Read:  $100,000 H-1B visa fee applies only to new applications filed after Sept 21, clarifies US 

Industry divided over impact

While Huang and Altman see the fee hike as a way to attract only the most exceptional talent, many in the tech industry have raised alarm. Indian IT giants face hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs, and analysts warn the new rules could push skilled workers to remain in India, boosting local innovation but straining US companies.

The White House has defended the move, saying it protects American jobs while ensuring only highly skilled workers are brought in. Officials also clarified that the $100,000 fee will apply only to new applications, not to renewals or reentries for existing visa holders.

Also Read: H-1B visa changes may hit families, policymakers must consider mutual benefits: MEA  

A split vision for Silicon Valley

The reactions highlight a growing divide in Silicon Valley. Some leaders fear the steep fees will choke the talent pipeline and harm smaller firms, while others like Huang and Altman view the policy as a strategic filter that raises the bar for US immigration and strengthens America’s position in the global AI race.