Anthropic, OpenAI and Nvidia increased their use of the H-1B program during the second quarter of U.S. fiscal year 2026, even as several larger technology companies reduced certified labor applications.
The shift illustrates how aggressively leading artificial intelligence companies are competing for specialized engineers, researchers and infrastructure workers from the global talent pool.
AI Companies Increase H-1B Hiring
Anthropic recorded 59 certified H-1B applications in the quarter, up from 10 during the same period a year earlier. OpenAI increased from 20 to 63, while Nvidia rose from 641 to 765, according to an analysis of federal labor data.
The hiring increase also comes as Anthropic’s disclosed H-1B salaries reached as high as $1.38 million, highlighting the intense competition for specialized AI workers.
The Department of Labor’s fiscal 2026 second-quarter disclosure data covers determinations issued between October 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. The cumulative records contain information supplied by employers and may be revised after appeals or new determinations.
Google and Amazon Reduce Filing Activity
The growth at AI-focused companies contrasted with declines at several established technology employers.
Google had roughly 2,200 certified H-1B applications during the second quarter, down from about 5,100 a year earlier. Amazon declined from approximately 6,100 to 4,300 over the same period.
Meta and Microsoft also reduced their filing activity, according to the reported federal-data analysis. However, lower filings during one quarter do not establish that those companies have stopped recruiting international workers.
Why AI Companies Continue Recruiting Globally
The increase suggests that Anthropic, OpenAI and Nvidia continue to view international recruitment as an important way to build teams working on AI research, software infrastructure and advanced computing.
The trend also provides context for the unusually high compensation disclosed in Anthropic’s filings. The company offered base pay reaching $1.38 million for one Member of Technical Staff position. Read our report on [Anthropic H-1B salaries and roles].
Certified labor applications should not be treated as final visa approvals or proof that every listed worker was hired. Employers generally obtain a certified Labor Condition Application before submitting an H-1B petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The contrast shows how technology hiring is becoming more selective. Even as some established companies reduce filing activity, businesses developing advanced AI systems appear willing to continue recruiting globally for scarce technical expertise.
The company’s filings covered technical, research, product and operational positions. See the complete breakdown of Anthropic H-1B jobs, salary ranges and roles.
