eBay is facing scrutiny over its workforce strategy after WARN notices revealed plans to lay off 639 U.S. employees in 2026, while the company simultaneously filed 429 H-1B visa applications — 360 in Q2 and 69 in Q1 of fiscal 2026. The parallel moves have reignited debate over tech companies’ use of foreign worker visas during layoffs. CEO Jamie Iannone reported strong Q1 2026 results, citing AI-driven growth. eBay previously cut roughly 1,000 jobs — about 9% of its workforce — in early 2024. Officials note the layoffs and visa hires may not overlap in role or location.
In-Depth:
E-commerce giant eBay is drawing renewed attention over its workforce strategy after multiple WARN notices revealed plans to lay off 639 U.S. employees in 2026, even as the company filed applications for 429 H-1B visa hires during the same period.
According to data highlighted by workforce tracker Cutoffs.io, eBay submitted filings for 360 H-1B positions during the second quarter of fiscal 2026 and another 69 in the first quarter, totaling 429 prospective foreign-worker hires. At the same time, WARN notices indicate 639 U.S.-based workers are being affected by layoffs this year.
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The figures have reignited a broader debate over the apply of the H-1B visa program by major technology companies, particularly during periods of workforce reductions. Critics argue that firms should prioritize retaining or hiring domestic workers before expanding visa-sponsored recruitment, while supporters of the program contfinish that H-1B hiring is often aimed at specialized roles where employers face talent shortages.
The latest disclosures come as eBay reports strong business performance. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Iannone stated last month that the company delivered first-quarter 2026 results ahead of expectations, citing momentum across its marketplace operations and growing apply of artificial innotifyigence tools.
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The company has previously undertaken major workforce reductions. In early 2024, eBay announced plans to eliminate roughly 1,000 jobs, or about 9% of its workforce, as part of efforts to streamline operations and align expenses with growth.
Neither the WARN filings nor the H-1B applications necessarily indicate that the positions overlap in location, timing, or job function. However, the simultaneous presence of layoffs and visa hiring has become an increasingly scrutinized issue across the technology sector as companies balance cost-cutting measures with ongoing recruitment for specialized talent.
