eBay’s Layoffs of 639 Workers Alongside 429 H-1B Visa Applications Spark Controversy
eBay plans to cut 639 U.S. jobs while applying for 429 H-1B visas, prompting industry debate over its human resources strategy.
What are the key facts?
- 1639 U.S. employees laid off
- 2429 H-1B visa applications
- 3Data from Cutoffs.io and WARN notices
What happened?
According to WARN notices and H-1B application data disclosed by workforce-tracking platform Cutoffs.io, eBay pursued a dual-track workforce adjustment in 2026. On one hand, the company plans to eliminate 639 U.S.-based positions; on the other, it submitted 429 H-1B visa applications during the same period. Although there is currently no evidence that the laid-off positions directly correspond to the visa applications, the combination of layoffs and hiring has prompted market questions about the company’s talent strategy and become a focus of recent discussion in the technology industry.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
The case reflects a strategic shift at a major platform between internal restructuring and technology investment. Sellers should monitor potential changes in eBay’s technical support and seller-service teams in case customer-service response times or system maintenance become less stable.