Tech and global mobility: The impact of the new US Administration

Tech Giants Brace for H-1B Shake-Up as Trump 2.0 Looms

Washington, D.C., March 2025 – The H-1B visa program, a lifeline for U.S. tech giants tapping global talent, is back in the spotlight as the Trump administration gears up for its second act. With 85,000 visas up for grabs annually, the program lets companies like Google, Amazon, and Tesla snag skilled workers from abroad—including the UK—when homegrown talent falls short. But with President Trump’s inauguration behind us, the tech world is buzzing: will the H-1B golden goose keep laying eggs, or is a clampdown coming?

The Biden administration’s swan song delivered a business-friendly H-1B tweak, effective January 17, 2025. The final rule sharpened the definition of “specialty occupations,” bolstered protections for student visa holders transitioning to H-1B, and gave U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) more muscle to audit employers on-site. It even locked in a policy of deferring to prior approvals—a win for predictability. Yet, as Trump’s team takes the reins, all eyes are on what’s next.

Trump’s H-1B stance has been a rollercoaster. He’s voiced support recently, calling it a “great program” pre-inauguration. But history tells a tougher tale: during his first term, denial rates for initial H-1B petitions spiked to 24%, up from a cozy 6% under Obama. If that playbook returns, tech firms could face a hiring squeeze, especially for UK talent. Workplace audits might also ramp up, with USCIS digging into wages and job sites to enforce compliance. Smart employers? They’re already dusting off internal audits to stay ahead of the curve.

Wage rules could add another twist. H-1B pay floors—tied to job type, location, and experience—might climb, forcing companies to rethink entry-level hires. And then there’s travel: Trump 1.0 slapped bans on multiple countries, citing security and later COVID-19. Tech got some carve-outs for “critical infrastructure,” but the new administration’s hinted at fresh visa freezes. Exemptions for techies could hinge on proving their work serves the “national interest”—a high bar with hazy rules.

Beyond H-1B: The Backup Plan

If H-1B gets tighter, tech isn’t out of moves. The O-1 visa beckons for superstars—think top-tier coders or AI wizards—with no cap and less political heat. The L-1 visa offers a workaround for multinationals, letting them transfer employees with a year’s tenure abroad into the U.S. (Cue the year-long “park and wait” strategy.) For UK talent, the E-2 visa shines: if a company’s at least 50% British-owned, British citizens can waltz in—no numerical limits, just treaty vibes.

The Big Picture

With policy shifts brewing, tech titans are on notice. The H-1B lifeline could shrink, but the talent hunt won’t stop. Companies are eyeing a multi-visa, multi-country game plan to keep the innovation engine humming. As one Silicon Valley exec put it, “We’ll adapt—always do.” For now, the message is clear: buckle up, audit your files, and don’t bet the farm on H-1B alone. The Trump sequel’s just getting started.