GeekWire A $100k wall for talent: Tech leader and author Shirish Nadkarni on the H-1B fee and the impact of immigrants
Sep 27, 2025
Shirish Nadkarni, a serial entrepreneur and former Microsoft product leader, discusses the controversial $100K fee for H-1B visas, emphasizing its potential impact on innovation and U.S. tech. He argues that immigrants are vital job creators, citing studies that show H-1Bs enhance wages for native workers. Shirish shares his journey as an immigrant and highlights how the U.S. can maintain its competitive edge in AI by welcoming global talent. He advocates for policy reforms like startup visas and removing country caps on green cards to support entrepreneurial growth.
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H-1B Workers Boost U.S. Employment
- H-1B holders do not generally take American jobs and can raise native wages and employment.
- Shirish Nadkarni argues restricting H-1Bs risks long-term harm to the U.S. tech economy.
Fee May Shift Hiring Offshore
- A $100,000 fee for new H-1Bs will likely push hiring offshore or remote rather than raise U.S. revenues.
- Shirish expects firms to hire in-country developers instead of paying steep fees for U.S. relocation.
Immigrants Power Unicorns And AI Firms
- Immigrant founders disproportionately create high-value startups and jobs, especially in AI and unicorns.
- Studies show over half of unicorns and ~66% of top AI firms were founded by immigrants.
