India's $283 billion tech sector is scrambling to adapt after former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas – a move experts say could rewrite the rules of global tech talent. 🇮🇳➡️🇺🇸
Why it matters: The U.S. accounts for 57% of Indian IT revenue, with 71% of H-1B visas going to Indian workers last year. Companies like Infosys and TCS now face pressure to hire more U.S. locals, shift projects offshore, or explore 'nearshoring' in Mexico and the Philippines. 💻🌎
American Dream on Pause: 'The visa fee is like a wall for tech workers,' says former Zensar CEO Ganesh Natarajan. Many IT professionals rushed back to the U.S. before Sunday's deadline, canceling trips to India and China. 🛂✈️
Legal Storm Brewing: Immigration lawyers predict lawsuits will challenge the policy this week. Meanwhile, companies are reserving H-1Bs for 'critical roles only,' potentially reshaping Silicon Valley's talent pipeline. ⚖️👩💻
Silver Lining Alert: The move could boost India's Global Capability Centers (GCCs) – innovation hubs expected to create 2.8 million jobs by 2030. 'We're entering a new world order for tech services,' says Constellation Research's Ray Wang. 🚀🇮🇳
