Trump’s $100,000 visa targets a $280 billion India success story

Core Viewpoint - Donald Trump's new order to increase fees for H-1B visa applications poses significant challenges for Indian outsourcing firms, particularly Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. and Infosys Ltd., which rely heavily on this program to deploy engineers in the U.S. [1][2] Industry Impact - The H-1B visa program is crucial for Indian outsourcing firms and the U.S. tech sector, allowing them to bring skilled workers from abroad. The new $100,000 fee will add to existing costs, which currently include a $215 lottery registration fee and various filing fees [6][8] - Indian-born workers constituted 72.3% of all H-1B beneficiaries in the U.S. for the fiscal year ending September 2023, indicating the program's importance to the Indian workforce [9] - The changes are expected to increase operational costs for American corporations, potentially leading them to expand their global capability centers in India [11][12] Company Responses - Shares of Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys fell more than 3% following the announcement, reflecting investor concerns about the impact of the new visa fees [2] - Indian firms have been reducing their dependence on H-1B visas, increasing local hiring, and establishing delivery centers in the U.S. to adapt to previous immigration policy threats [15] - The increased costs associated with H-1B visas may lead Indian firms to limit the number of engineers sent to client sites, affecting key client relationships [16] Geopolitical Context - The visa policy changes are seen as part of a broader geopolitical strategy, increasing tensions in the India-U.S. relationship amid ongoing trade talks [4] - The move has sparked a range of reactions in India, from outrage to concern about the implications for families relying on H-1B visas [5]