Oracle Files Thousands of H-1B Visa Petitions Amid Mass Layoffs

Federal data shows the tech giant filed for over 3,000 foreign worker visas as it cuts thousands of American jobs.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:25pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of H-1B visa application forms and a laptop computer on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the abstract corporate strategy behind Oracle's foreign worker hiring amid mass layoffs.Oracle's strategic use of the H-1B visa program raises questions about the tech giant's commitment to its American workforce.Austin Today

Oracle, the software company headquartered in Austin, Texas, has filed thousands of petitions for H-1B visas in the past two fiscal years, even as it lays off thousands of American workers as part of a broader organizational shift. Federal data shows Oracle filed for 2,690 H-1B visas in fiscal year 2025 and 436 so far in fiscal year 2026, totaling over 3,100 visa requests.

Why it matters

The H-1B visa program allows companies to temporarily employ foreign workers with specialized skills, often in the tech industry. Critics argue the program is used to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor, while supporters say it helps fill crucial talent gaps. Oracle's visa filings amid mass layoffs raise questions about the company's motivations and the broader debate over the H-1B program's impact on the American workforce.

The details

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data, Oracle America Inc. filed for 2,690 H-1B visas for fiscal year 2025 and 436 so far for fiscal year 2026. This comes as Oracle reportedly began laying off thousands of employees this week, with workers receiving letters stating 'today is your last working day.' The company has not provided public comment on the layoffs or the H-1B visa filings.

  • Oracle filed for 2,690 H-1B visas for fiscal year 2025, which covers October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025.
  • Oracle filed for 436 H-1B visas so far for fiscal year 2026, which runs from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.

The players

Oracle America Inc.

A software company headquartered in Austin, Texas that is undergoing a major organizational shift, including thousands of layoffs, while simultaneously filing thousands of petitions for H-1B foreign worker visas.

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What’s next

The full impact of Oracle's layoffs and H-1B visa filings remains to be seen, as the company has not provided detailed public comment on its workforce changes and foreign worker hiring plans.

The takeaway

Oracle's actions raise concerns about the company potentially replacing American workers with cheaper foreign labor through the H-1B visa program, even as it undergoes a major organizational shift. This case highlights the ongoing debate over the H-1B program's impact on the U.S. workforce and the need for greater transparency from companies utilizing the program.