How many immigrants in Silicon Valley on visas?

Approximately 50 to 70 percent of immigrants working in Silicon Valley are on work visas, depending on the sector and job role.

Key points:

1. H-1B Visa Use: A large number of tech professionals in Silicon Valley, especially software engineers and IT specialists, work on H-1B visas. This visa is commonly used by companies like Google, Meta, Apple, and others to hire foreign talent.

2. High Demand for Skilled Workers: Silicon Valley has a strong reliance on international workers due to skill shortages in areas like artificial intelligence, data science, and software development.

3. Graduate Hiring: Many immigrants come to the U.S. for higher education and then stay on Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT before transitioning to an H-1B or other work visa.

4. Diversity of Nationalities: Most work visa holders in Silicon Valley come from India, China, Canada, and parts of Europe.

Conclusion: A significant portion of the immigrant workforce in Silicon Valley holds work visas, mainly H-1B, making them an essential part of the region’s tech economy.