Microsoft has reportedly applied for up to 6,000 H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers, even as it prepares to lay off 9,000 employees globally — around 4% of its workforce.
The move, aimed at cutting costs and shifting focus to artificial intelligence, has drawn criticism, particularly from conservative circles in the U.S.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Microsoft filed 4,712 H-1B applications for FY2025. However, insiders suggest the actual number may be closer to 6,000. The company filed 9,491 applications in FY2024, most of which were approved.
The H-1B visa allows U.S. companies to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations, but the system ties workers’ legal status to their employment, making it difficult for them to leave or remain in the country if laid off.
Critics argue this creates unfair conditions for domestic workers.
Right-wing voices on social media labeled the situation "economic treason" and called for a freeze on H-1B approvals while layoffs continue. Still, there's no confirmed link between the visa applications and the layoffs.
Despite the criticism, Microsoft maintains that the restructuring is necessary to adapt to a dynamic market. This latest round of layoffs marks the company’s fourth in 2025, following earlier cuts in January, May, and June.
Meanwhile, Amazon has also announced plans to reduce its corporate workforce over the coming years as it increasingly integrates AI. CEO Andy Jassy indicated that many jobs would become redundant, though attrition would absorb some of the impact.
These developments come as corporate America grapples with the rising influence of AI and automation. Job cuts are spreading across sectors, with major companies like Procter & Gamble recently announcing plans to trim 7,000 non-manufacturing roles.
Although leaders like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy support expanding the H-1B program, the debate between business interests and worker protections continues to fuel political tension — especially as former President Trump campaigns on strict immigration and labor policies.
