H-1B Visa Fee Hike: Why US Firms May Suffer More Than Indian IT

The recent H-1B visa fee hike has triggered concerns across the global IT sector, but experts suggest that the bigger burden may fall on American companies rather than Indian IT firms. According to G. Chokkalingam, Founder & MD of Equinomics Research, large US tech giants and consulting firms remain the primary users of H-1B visas, while many Indian IT companies have reduced their dependence on them in recent years. However, with nearly 71% of annual H-1B visas granted to Indians, there could still be an indirect impact on India’s economy through reduced remittances and hiring setbacks. At the same time, Indian IT stocks face valuation pressures despite strong profit growth, making them vulnerable in the short term. Watch this detailed analysis to understand why the US may end up hurting its own companies and why Indian investors should remain cautious.