Noida, August 26: The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), the body representing IT companies in India, has urged US policymakers to rethink the $103,265 fee (more than Rs.98 lakh) fee for H-1B visa applicants, stating that Indian IT companies have already cut back their reliance on it while boosting upskilling and hiring more American workers.
Changing times
According to the latest figures, major Indian IT firms have cut back usage of the popular visa scheme by 37% since 2024, with only highly specialized employees being sent to client locations through the program.
Instead, Indian IT enterprises have invested more than $1.1 billion to strengthen the U.S. STEM talent pipeline, partnering with over 130 U.S. universities and colleges and upskilling almost 2.9 million students.
Indians have always remained the biggest recipients of the H-1B visa program, with local politicians accusing Indian IT companies of hiring cheaper Indian professionals over locals.
Things have changed for the better, though, with even Trump administration officials lauding India for investing and supporting jobs in the US.
Structural challenges
The unreasonable fee for H-1B visas can still affect Indian IT companies’ delivery models, with companies hesitant to absorb these higher visa costs because client contracts have fixed rates and don’t allow for revising commercials.
