While several major US technology companies are reducing headcount and slowing international hiring, Nvidia is taking a different approach.
The AI chipmaker, at the heart of the global artificial intelligence surge, is expanding its recruitment of H-1B visa workers even as competitors such as Google, Amazon, and Meta adopt a more cautious stance amid layoffs and cost-cutting measures.
The development is especially significant for Indian technology professionals, who account for the largest proportion of H-1B visa holders in the United States.
According to federal filings cited in an NDTV report, Nvidia obtained certification for nearly 1,200 H-1B positions during the first two quarters of fiscal 2026, compared with around 1,000 roles during the same period last year.
The rise is notable at a time when many technology companies are heading in the opposite direction by slowing hiring and reducing workforce numbers.
Nvidia Expands Hiring as Big Tech Firms Cut Jobs
The technology industry has witnessed thousands of layoffs over the past year as companies adapt to shifting business priorities and ramp up investments in artificial intelligence.
Several major firms have scaled back hiring or cut jobs while redirecting resources toward AI-focused initiatives.
According to data compiled by Business Insider and cited by NDTV, Google’s approved H-1B hires fell sharply to around 2,200, down from nearly 5,100 during the same period a year earlier.
Amazon also recorded a significant drop in approvals, with numbers falling to around 4,300 from nearly 6,100 during the same period.
Against this backdrop, Nvidia’s move to increase foreign hiring has drawn considerable attention across the technology sector.
The company has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the AI boom, with its chips powering everything from ChatGPT-like applications to large-scale AI data centers operated by technology firms worldwide.
What This Means for Indian Technology Professionals
The trend holds particular importance for Indian engineers working in the United States.
According to USCIS-linked data cited in the report, Indians make up around 71% to 73% of all approved H-1B beneficiaries, meaning any rise in H-1B recruitment is expected to benefit Indian professionals more than any other group.
The timing is equally significant. For many foreign workers in the US, job loss can quickly create immigration challenges.
Under H-1B visa regulations, workers generally have a 60-day grace period to secure another employer willing to sponsor their visa after losing their job. Failure to find new employment within that timeframe may require them to leave the country.
With layoffs continuing across sections of the technology industry, Nvidia’s hiring expansion could provide a valuable opportunity for engineers seeking to remain in the US tech workforce.
Pay Packages Go Up to Rs 4.64 Crore
One of the standout aspects of Nvidia’s recruitment push is the scale of compensation being offered.
Federal filings reviewed by NDTV indicate that the company is offering some of the industry’s highest salaries to attract top talent in AI, engineering, and research.
At Nvidia, software engineers can earn up to $391,000 annually – around Rs 3.72 crore in base pay. Research scientists can receive salaries of up to $356,500, equivalent to nearly Rs 3.39 crore.
Product managers can earn as much as $379,500 (approximately Rs 3.61 crore), while hardware engineering managers can make close to Rs 3.50 crore per year.
The biggest pay packages are reserved for senior technical and leadership positions. Architecture directors can earn up to $488,750 annually, translating to nearly Rs 4.64 crore in base salary alone. Distinguished AI algorithms engineers can make up to $471,500 (around Rs 4.48 crore), while principal systems software engineers can earn close to Rs 4.10 crore.
These salary figures exclude stock options and bonuses, which can substantially increase total compensation packages.
Nvidia’s AI Focus Delivers Strong Returns
Nvidia’s aggressive hiring drive reflects the company’s increasing confidence in the future growth of the artificial intelligence market.
The company has become one of the world’s most valuable businesses, driven by soaring demand for AI chips and related infrastructure.
Its recruitment efforts cover a wide range of areas, including AI research, software engineering, semiconductor development, cloud infrastructure, and customer-focused technical positions.
Nvidia is led by Jensen Huang, who was born in Taiwan and later moved to the United States. He has frequently emphasized the importance of immigrant talent in shaping Nvidia’s growth and long-term success.
H-1B Concerns Still Persist
Despite Nvidia’s ambitious hiring plans, uncertainty still surrounds the broader H-1B visa environment.
Recent policy shifts, tighter compliance measures, and increased scrutiny have made many employers more cautious about sponsoring foreign workers.
For thousands of Indian professionals facing layoffs, visa-related challenges, and a difficult job market, opportunities remain limited.
This is one reason Nvidia’s recruitment drive is attracting significant attention. At a time when much of the technology industry is focused on cutting costs and reducing workforce numbers, the company continues to expand and actively compete for top talent.
For Indian engineers aiming to build careers in the United States, Nvidia’s strategy highlights how the AI boom is not only transforming technology companies but also opening new doors for highly skilled professionals.