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Tech ‌Firms ‌face scrutiny‍ as New ⁣Visa Costs Take Effect

WASHINGTON ⁣- A new policy impacting H-1B visas ⁢went‍ into effect on Sunday, September ​21st,⁢ triggering a scramble among U.S.-based technology companies⁤ reliant on foreign workers. The increased costs associated with‍ renewing adn extending visas are disproportionately affecting major players ‌like Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft, alongside a broader‌ range of employers.

The financial burden stems from a recent rule requiring⁣ companies to pay ‌the full⁤ visa ​fee each time an H-1B petition is extended, rather⁣ then‍ the previous‍ system of ⁢reimbursement‍ for certain‌ extensions. ‌This change primarily impacts employees originating from India, with Amazon and amazon Web Services accounting for approximately 12,000 H-1B visas, and Microsoft and ‍Meta⁢ collectively holding over 5,000. Companies are now navigating the⁤ complex decision of whether to absorb these costs, pass them⁤ onto ‍employees, or potentially reduce their foreign workforce.

Beyond the immediate financial implications, the policy shift underscores⁢ growing scrutiny of H-1B visas-a‌ key pathway⁣ for skilled foreign workers in specialized fields-and its ‍potential impact on the ​U.S.⁤ tech industry’s ‌global competitiveness.The situation is unfolding as Great​ Britain announced ‍a notable investment in palantir, a data analytics firm, signaling a different ‌approach to attracting and retaining technology talent.