Leading global banks, including Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs are expanding their Global Capability Centre (GCC) operations in India following a recent policy change in the United States that significantly raises the cost of hiring foreign skilled workers.
In September 2025, the U.S. government announced a new $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications. The policy is intended to encourage domestic hiring and reduce dependency on international talent pipelines. While the rule is not yet in full effect, companies are already adjusting their global workforce strategies in anticipation.
Large-Scale GCC Presence in India
India has become a major base for GCCs, which function as strategic hubs for global operations. Citibank currently employs around 33,000 professionals through its Indian centres, while JPMorgan’s workforce in the country exceeds 55,000. These centres handle a range of functions including technology, data analytics, product development, finance, and compliance.
India hosts over 1,950 GCCs, employing more than 1.9 million professionals across industries such as finance, healthcare, technology, and consulting. Market estimates project the sector to grow from $64 billion in value today to $110 billion by 2030, with over 2,500 centres expected to be operational.
Shift in Role Allocation
Companies are increasingly assigning more complex, high-value work to their India-based teams. This includes software engineering, cloud infrastructure, risk modeling, cybersecurity, and product design.
Work that may previously have been relocated to U.S. headquarters is now being retained or reassigned to Indian GCCs. The shift is being driven not only by visa costs, but also by talent availability, operational flexibility, and advancements in digital collaboration.
Hiring Trends and Workforce Strategy
Hiring activity across Indian tech hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Gurugram has accelerated in recent months. Employers are focusing on mid-to-senior level professionals with skills in data science, artificial intelligence, platform engineering, and leadership.
There is also growing interest in Tier-2 cities as firms look to diversify talent pools and manage wage inflation. Internal capability building, compliance infrastructure, and governance controls are being strengthened to support expanded mandates in India.
Legal Environment and Risk Planning
The new U.S. visa fee rule is expected to face legal and political scrutiny. Several business associations are monitoring potential litigation or regulatory changes. However, many firms are proceeding with pre-emptive adjustments to minimise future risk and maintain delivery continuity.
Organizations aim to reduce their exposure to visa-related cost volatility by reallocating roles to offshore and nearshore centres while preserving access to skilled global talent.
Outlook for India’s GCC Ecosystem
If current trends continue, India’s GCC ecosystem will become a key driver of global operations, particularly in finance, fintech, cloud technology, and enterprise software. In addition to job creation, this shift is expected to boost demand for advanced training, leadership development, and regional infrastructure.
Policymakers in India are being encouraged to support this growth by expanding digital infrastructure, incentivising operations in emerging cities, and investing in skill development programs tailored to GCC needs.
As global companies continue to reassess their talent deployment models, India is emerging as a preferred location for managing end-to-end product, technology, and operational functions.
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