Core Insights - The introduction of a $100,000 H-1B application fee by President Trump poses significant challenges for consulting firms in talent acquisition, similar to those faced by tech companies [1][7] - Nearly 50% of H-1B applications are linked to professional, scientific, and technical services, highlighting the reliance of consulting firms on foreign skilled workers [2] - The H-1B program has been a crucial source of mid-level consultants with specialized skills, which are hard to find in the domestic market [4] Industry Impact - Consulting firms like Deloitte, EY, and Accenture are among the largest employers of H-1B visa holders, with Deloitte hiring 7,535 workers in the last three years, representing about 1% of its US workforce [5] - Accenture and EY have also significantly relied on H-1B visa holders, with 5,862 and 5,298 hires respectively, accounting for nearly 10% of their US headcounts [5] - The new application fee is expected to increase competition for talent and may lead to accelerated offshoring strategies among consulting firms [7] Strategic Responses - Consulting leaders express concern that the increased costs associated with H-1B visas will add friction to an already competitive talent market [4][6] - Major firms are anticipated to absorb some of the higher visa costs while adjusting their staffing models to maintain continuity [6] - Smaller consulting firms will need to enhance their ability to attract domestic talent, particularly for mid-level positions, to cope with the changes [6]

By Johann M Cherian and Kanchana Chakravarty (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump imposed new fees on H-1B visas on Friday as part of his wide-ranging crackdown on immigration. Trump's executive order, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Sunday (0401 GMT), hikes the fee for H-1B visa applicants to $100,000. It is a one-time fee applied only to new applicants and not holders of existing visas or those seeking renewals. WHAT IS THE H-1B VISA PROGRAM? Established under the Immigration Act of 1990, th ...

Group 1: H-1B Visa Fee Impact - President Trump imposed a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, causing immediate concern in the tech industry [2][3] - Shares of IT services companies like Infosys, Wipro, and Cognizant Technology Solutions saw notable declines, with Infosys ADRs dropping 3.41% to $16.97 and Cognizant down 4.75% to $66.94 [3] - Analysts expressed that the fee would significantly impact both Indian and US-listed IT companies, with predictions of skyrocketing employee costs [3][4] Group 2: Market Reactions to Tariffs - On August 1, 2025, Trump announced a 35% tariff on certain Canadian goods, leading to a 0.88% drop in the Toronto Stock Exchange and declines in major US indices [5][6] - The S&P 500 fell 1.6%, marking its largest decline since May, while the Dow Jones and Nasdaq also experienced significant drops [5][6] - Analysts noted that the combination of tariffs and weaker-than-expected employment data contributed to market volatility [6] Group 3: Broader Market Resilience - Despite policy-induced jitters, major US tech companies like Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and NVIDIA showed resilience, with Alphabet trading at $235.15 and Amazon up 4.8% [10] - As of September 20, 2025, major indices reflected a mixed but generally upward trend, with the S&P 500 at 6,664.36 (+0.5%) and the Dow Jones at 46,315.27 (+0.4%) [11] - The ongoing uncertainty in economic policy continues to create a volatile environment for investors [11]

Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration's proposal to charge companies $100,000 annually for H-1B worker visas could significantly impact the technology sector, which heavily relies on skilled workers from India and China [1][2]. Group 1: Immigration Policy Changes - The Trump administration has initiated a broad immigration crackdown, including efforts to limit legal immigration, with the H-1B visa program being a focal point of these changes [2]. - The new fee structure for H-1B visas is set to take effect soon, prompting major tech companies to advise their visa-holding employees to remain in the U.S. or return quickly [4][5]. Group 2: Industry Reactions - Major companies like Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Amazon have communicated to their H-1B visa employees to avoid international travel until further guidance is provided [5]. - The internal communications from these companies indicate a proactive approach to mitigate the potential disruptions caused by the new visa fee structure [4]. Group 3: Perspectives on H-1B Program - Critics of the H-1B program argue that it enables companies to suppress wages and displace American workers, while supporters claim it is essential for attracting highly skilled talent necessary for competitiveness [6]. - The executive order signed by Trump highlights concerns that some employers have exploited the H-1B program to the detriment of U.S. workers [7].