TCS gets 5,505 H-1B visas in 2025 as Trump’s $100,000 fee kicks in

TCS secured 5,505 H-1B approvals in FY2025, second only to Amazon (10,044). A new $100,000 yearly fee for H-1B visas signed on Sept 19 takes effect Sept 21. The White House says it applies to new applicants, not existing holders or renewals, though wording has caused confusion and could face legal challenges. Indian IT majors have already reduced H-1B dependency and may shift more work to India if needed.

H-1B 2025 leaderboard: where TCS stands

Fresh USCIS data cited by multiple outlets shows tech firms dominate 2025 H-1B approvals. Amazon leads with 10,044 workers on H-1B as of June 2025. TCS is No.2 at 5,505, followed by Microsoft (5,189), Meta (5,123), Apple (4,202), Google (4,181). Deloitte, Infosys, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra Americas round out the list.

Table — FY2025 H-1B approvals by employer (as of June 2025)

What changed: the $100,000 annual H-1B fee

On Sept 19, President Donald Trump signed an executive action imposing a $100,000 yearly fee tied to H-1B visas. The policy starts Sept 21, 2025. It’s part of a broader push that also floated “gold” and “platinum” residency cards for wealthy immigrants. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick argued the steep fee would deter entry-level foreign hiring. Expect lawsuits: immigration fees are typically set by statute, so legal authority will be tested.

A day later, the White House clarified that existing H-1B holders and renewals aren’t charged; the fee applies to new applicants. That eased panic memos advising staff abroad to rush back before the deadline, though some ambiguity in the order’s text remains. Reuters and Business Insider report the carve-out for current holders; TechCrunch noted internal advisories at Big Tech.

Will this hit Indian IT? Less than headlines suggest

Big picture: Indian IT majors have been reducing H-1B dependency by hiring locally in the US and by shifting delivery to India when visas are tight. TCS’s CEO K. Krithivasan said earlier this year the firm usually gets 3,000–4,000 H-1Bs annually “a small number in the overall scheme.” Infosys says 60%+ of its US workforce is local. This cushions the shock from fee hikes aimed at new petitions.

Industry body NASSCOM warned of ripple effects and, before the clarification, urged members to bring traveling H-1B employees back ahead of the Sept 21 switch-over. After the White House guidance, some of that urgency eased, but firms remain cautious while lawyers parse the text.

Practical impact by stakeholder

Indian IT services (TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech, TechM)

• Near term: Limited immediate impact on existing staff. New 2026 cycle petitions become far costlier; firms may prioritize L-1 transfers, local hires, or remote teams in India.
• Pricing: Some new US projects could see rate adjustments or delivery mix changes.
• Compliance: Tighter internal controls on wage levels and roles to defend “specialty occupation” claims.

US Big Tech

• Heavy users of H-1B for niche skills may reassess campus hiring of foreign grads vs. remote hubs. Short-term travel guidance remains conservative while text is litigated.

Startups & mid-caps

• The fee is proportionally harsher; likely to delay or avoid new H-1B filings, favoring contracting or near-shoring.

Current H-1B holders

• White House says no fee for renewals or re-entry; still, avoid non-essential travel until agency guidance catches up and carriers/ports align on interpretation. (Several law firms advise caution.)

Future applicants (FY2026 cycle)

• Expect higher total cost of employment; some employers may skip filings or sponsor fewer roles.

What companies are doing now

• Travel memos: Advising H-1B staff abroad to return or postpone trips until CBP and consulates standardize procedures; some have since toned down after the White House clarification.
• Portfolio shifts: Considering remote delivery, L-1s, or local hires for critical projects.
• Lobbying & litigation: Trade groups preparing legal challenges on fee authority.

Checklist: sensible next steps

• If you’re on H-1B now: Keep I-94, approval notices, and employer letter handy; defer non-essential travel for a couple of weeks; watch for DHS/USCIS FAQs.
• If you’re HR/TA: Re-model 2026 hiring plans; evaluate L-1 eligibility and remote teams; budget scenarios for the $100k fee; consult counsel.
• If you’re a client: Ask vendors how delivery mix or rates might change; clarify SLAs if onshore roles become scarce.

Comparison Table: who’s most exposed (indicative)

FAQ

Which companies top H-1B approvals in 2025?
Amazon leads; TCS is No.2; Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Google follow.

Will travel trigger the fee for current H-1Bs?
White House guidance says no; it’s for new applicants. Still exercise caution until official FAQs land.

Could the fee be challenged in court?
Yes. Analysts expect legal challenges over executive authority to set such a fee.

What’s the 2026 H-1B cap status?
USCIS said it received enough petitions to meet the 65k regular cap and 20k master’s cap for FY2026.

How dependent is Indian IT on H-1Bs today?
Dependency has fallen; majors hire locally and can shift work to India if visas tighten.

What did NASSCOM advise?
Before clarification, NASSCOM urged members to bring staff back to the US before Sept 21; guidance may evolve post-clarification.

Does this affect L-1 visas?
The order targets H-1B; firms may look harder at L-1 transfers where eligible. (General info.)

Why is the fee so high?
Officials frame it as a deterrent to “systemic abuse” and to prioritize top-tier roles; critics say it will hurt innovation and offshoring will rise.

What’s the immediate risk to projects?
New US-based roles that planned H-1B sponsorship may be repriced or offshored; existing staff largely unaffected short-term.

Are Big Tech companies changing travel?
Internal advisories urged caution and, in some cases, to remain in the US around the effective date.

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Source : Reuters