H-1B visa costs rise while America needs over 157,000 engineers and technicians

While leading artificial intelligence (AI) labs like OpenAI and Anthropic debate intentional slowdowns over unchecked model capabilities, an acute bottleneck of severe shortage of specialised talent on the hardware manufacturing front may compel a pause across the sector, a report has said. According to joint findings published by McKinsey and the SEMI Foundation, the US is looking at a shortfall of up to 157,000 semiconductor specialists and technicians by 2030, and what’s ‘alarming’ is that this deficit comes as the Trump administration broadens immigration crackdown. It has introduced sweeping hurdles spanning immigrant categories, guest-worker authorisations, permanent residency applications and existing travel permissions.Stricter rules, a proposed $103,265 H-1B charge and shortage of skilled labourThe updated regulatory framework introduces targeted barriers across distinct applicant groups. The H-1B skilled workers and dependents has been hit by intensified application vetting alongside a proposed filing fee soaring to $103,265.