How H-1B Fee Changes Could Hit the Magnificent 7

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Magnificent Seven H-1B Use Over Time

H-1Bs granted to the Magnificent Seven have grown sharply over the past decade, reflecting an increasing reliance on global talent. Amazon has consistently led the pack, overtaking Microsoft for the most H-1Bs in use in 2019. Amazon has also added the most H-1B visa beneficiaries since 2015, 8,088. Meta is a distant second by that measure, adding 4,143 beneficiaries.

By percentage growth, the Magnificent Seven companies that had increased their use of H-1B visas the most are Meta, Amazon, Nvidia (NVDA +1.18%) and Tesla.

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About the Author

Jack Caporal is the Research Director for The Motley Fool and The Motley Fool Money. His work focuses on uncovering and analyzing trends that shape personal financial decisions across the United States, to help people become smarter, happier, and richer. Jack's primary research has been featured across top-tier television networks, and accredited publications like the New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC, and has been cited in Congressional testimony. He previously followed business and economic trends as a reporter and policy analyst in Washington, D.C. Jack enjoys spending time in the mountains and cheering for his hometown Boston sports teams.

TMFJackCap

Jack Caporal has positions in Apple and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends Cognizant Technology Solutions and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Methodology

The Motley Fool estimated hypothetical H-1B fees by multiplying the number of new petitions each company filed in FY25 by the Trump administration’s proposed $100,000 fee per petition. Only new petitions were included, as the fee does not apply to continuations, amendments, or changes of employer. This approach reflects the company’s potential cost exposure had the fee been in place in FY25.

How the Magnificent Seven Have Used H-1Bs and What They Could Pay

Amazon tops the list by H-1Bs in use in FY2025 and what it would’ve paid for new petitions that year as well. Amazon has 10,044 H-1Bs employed and had 1,726 new petitions accepted, which would have come with a $172.6 million price tag had the fee been in place last year.

Microsoft (MSFT +0.37%) and Meta Platforms (META +0.40%) would have also surpassed $100 million in H-1B fees.

Tesla (TSLA +1.74%) has the least exposure to H-1B fees among the Magnificent Seven. Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company used 727 H-1Bs in FY25 and had just 166 petitions approved, which would’ve hit the business with a $16.6 million bill.

While those are high price tags for just a handful of hires, the costs are a percentage of a percentage relative to the revenue the Magnificent Seven companies generate, meaning it’s likely a cost they could bear. Whether they are willing to – and whether much smaller companies are willing to as well – are different questions.

How H-1B Fee Changes Could Affect the Magnificent Seven

Key Points

Magnificent Seven H-1B Use Over Time

About the Author

Premium Investing Services

H-1Bs by state

Why Investors Should Pay Attention to H-1B Visa Changes

Sources

Magnificent Seven H-1B Use Over Time

Methodology

How the Magnificent Seven Have Used H-1Bs and What They Could Pay

H-1Bs by company

H-1Bs by industry