India Inc is reworking its U.S. talent strategy after the Trump administration imposed a $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B visa applications. The policy, introduced in September 2025, applies only to fresh petitions and does not affect existing H-1B holders or already approved petitions.
As a result, Indian firms and U.S. companies are exploring alternatives, including:
- L1 intra-company transfers, mainly for senior or key personnel
- B1 business visas for short visits such as meetings or conferences
- Offshoring work to India, Europe, or other countries
- Shifting talent via GCCs (Global Capability Centers) as a buffer
Law and immigration experts note that many firms are identifying employees who could qualify for L1 visas by late 2026. Some plan to route talent through Europe or Canada before transferring them to U.S. operations under L1 status, while continuing project work remotely.
However, the L1 and B1 visa categories come with stricter eligibility criteria and cannot fully replace the scale of H-1B deployment. Nevertheless, the steep H-1B fee is pushing companies to adopt hybrid staffing and location models. In parallel, destinations like Germany, Canada, and the UK are gaining attention as alternatives for global talent placement.
Immigration advisors are also reviewing strategies such as the EB-5 investor visa route, though opinions differ on its viability for mainstream staffing. Overall, industry participants expect the H-1B cost hike to accelerate the shift toward more flexible, geographically diversified talent models.
