The proposed $10,000 fee increase on H-1B visas in the United States, introduced by President Trump, is expected to reshape the global workforce strategy of multinational companies. While the move could face legal challenges, experts believe it will push Fortune 500 companies and global corporations to expand operations in India through Global Capability Centres.
India, already positioned as the world’s GCC hub with over 2,600 centres, offers a strong mix of deep-tech talent, cost efficiency, and freedom from visa restrictions. As operational costs in the US rise, companies are finding it more strategic to shift work to India rather than move Indian professionals abroad.
“Either you can get Indians to work in the US or get work to India,” said Manoj Marwah, financial services GCC sector leader at a consulting firm. “With visa costs going up, the latter is more likely. The silver lining is that it will stop brain drain from India and the talent will now be available to contribute to the growth of the domestic economy.”
Echoing this view, Lalit Ahuja, founder of a firm that has helped establish over 150 GCCs in India, explained: “With total costs per H-1B worker now exceeding $3,00,000 annually, a senior software architect, for example, can be employed in a GCC to deliver identical output at a fraction of the cost. This change is not about cost anymore — it is about strategic advantage. Companies that view this as merely a cost increase will struggle, while those who recognise it as an opportunity to accelerate their GCC strategies will thrive.”
Industry leaders note that GCCs have always been used to manage immigration uncertainties, but the proposed visa fee hike is expected to accelerate both their adoption and expansion. Ahuja added that more Indian professionals currently employed in the US or seeking opportunities abroad may now consider building careers in GCCs within India.
Experts also suggest that the shift will bring wider industry changes. “Less H-1Bs, more hiring of native talent, increased GCC, and more automation with AI,” said Ray Wang, CEO of a research firm. However, not all outcomes are straightforward. “On the positive side, the expensive H-1B visas will give a boost to more local sourcing and increase the number of GCCs. However, it could impact the transfer of expertise from US to India,” said Raman Roy, CMD of a business solutions company.
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