Ex-Meta Engineer Launches SF Startup Amid H-1B Visa Fee Hike
Former Meta engineer Zach Wilson has launched his own data analytics startup in San Francisco, while President Trump's new directive has significantly increased the H-1B visa application fee, sparking concern among major U.S. tech companies that heavily rely on these visas. Wilson, who spent nearly two years at Meta as a data engineer, is now leading his own venture in the heart of Silicon Valley. His journey comes amidst a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy regarding H-1B visas, which are predominantly used by tech companies to employ skilled foreign workers. The new directive has hiked the fee for new H-1B applications to $100,000, a substantial increase from the previous range of $2,000 to $5,000. This change is set to impact major tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms, which have collectively received tens of thousands of H-1B visas. The planned fee is a one-time payment intended to deter visa misuse, but it has raised concerns among these companies. Indians make up over 70% of H-1B visa holders in the United States. The high concentration of Indian talent in U.S. tech companies has been a contentious issue, with some arguing that it displaces American workers. However, former Meta engineer Nitin Ahirwal contends that Meta's growth was built on talent, not passports, and that U.S. schools produce users of tech, not builders. Wilson's post on X about the new H-1B fee proposal sparked reactions from Indian tech professionals and international onlookers. Some, like Rushikesh Patil, argue that removing H-1B visas doesn't solve the talent gap, it just highlights it. Tom Anderson shared his experience of being one of two Americans on his Meta team, with the rest being from India, offering a glimpse into the diverse makeup of these teams. Zach Wilson's entrepreneurial journey coincides with a significant change in U.S. immigration policy regarding H-1B visas. The new $100,000 fee for new applications has raised concerns among major tech companies that heavily rely on these visas. As the debate around H-1B visas continues, the tech industry awaits further developments that may shape its workforce and talent acquisition strategies.
