Analysis

September 22, 2025

H-1B visa cost hike sees European startups move to poach global talent

European founders are on a charm offensive as they look to scoop up disaffected tech workers previously planning US relocation

European tech companies are making moves to poach global talent previously considering relocating to the US after president Donald Trump announced sweeping changes to the costs of the H-1B visa used by foreign workers at startups and Big Tech.

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Miriam Partington

Miriam Partington was a senior reporter at Sifted, based in Berlin. She covered the DACH region and the future of work, and wrote Startup Life , a weekly newsletter on what it takes to build a startup.

Kai Nicol-Schwarz

Kai Nicol-Schwarz was a senior reporter at Sifted. He covered AI and UK tech.

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