The steep hike in H-1B visa fees by the US has come as a jolt for Indian techies. It is time to look beyond the US and strengthen ourselves through self-reliance
After the tariff shock comes the visa jolt. As Trump tariffs disrupted the Indian industry, the Trump visa fee hike will have a negative impact on India’s thriving IT industry, which relies heavily on servicing US firms. The message is clear — though Trump has good friendly relations with Prime Minister Modi, he is no friend of India. He is deliberately trying to destabilise the Indian economy, one step at a time, to push India into a subservient position where it would be able to dictate terms.
President Donald Trump’s decision to hike H-1B visa fees to an unprecedented $100,000 has sent shockwaves through India’s technology sector. For decades, the H-1B programme has been a lifeline for Indian IT professionals, enabling them to work in the United States, contribute to global innovation, and remit hard-earned dollars back home. But with this steep barrier, the very foundation of India’s IT services model — built on skilled manpower exports — faces a direct blow. The impact is not limited to individuals. Companies like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and HCL, which rely heavily on sending Indian engineers to service global clients, will find it unsustainable. Many young professionals harbouring the American dream will see doors closing abruptly. For the US, the move may serve political rhetoric around protecting domestic jobs, but the reality is that American tech giants themselves depend on Indian talent.
This moment of disruption coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s renewed pitch for ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance). Speaking in Gujarat, Modi declared that India’s biggest enemy is its dependence on other nations. His words — “whether it’s chips or ships, we must make them in India” carry a deeper meaning in light of Trump’s decision. The H-1B visa hike has exposed India’s vulnerability. When the policies of another country can alter the life trajectories of lakhs of Indians and the fortunes of billion-dollar firms overnight, it is a signal that course correction is overdue.
A way forward lies in bold, multi-pronged action. First, India must strengthen its domestic technology ecosystem so that world-class jobs are created within its borders, reducing the lure of foreign postings. Indian IT firms must shift their business model from labour export to intellectual property creation — building products, platforms, and services that the world consumes. Deeper ties with alternative markets—Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa — can diversify risks and reduce over-dependence on the US. For Indian professionals, this setback should also be reframed as an opportunity. Instead of chasing distant dreams, the next frontier of innovation may be built in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, or Pune. If India invests in infrastructure, education, and entrepreneurship, it can become not just the world’s back office, but its innovation hub. The challenge now is to transform this adversity into a springboard for India’s next growth chapter.
