The Trump administration move to hike H-1B worker visas has come as a bolt from the blue for big tech companies and a large number of Indians who work there. The Friday announcement by US President Donald Trump in which he signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 (over Rs 88 lakh) fee on H-1B visa applicants is being looked as latest efforts of further tightening screw on immigration. Though Trump’s new $100,000 annual fee on each H-1B visa, effective September 21, is to hit Indians the hardest as they account for 71 per cent of the 85,000 visas issued every year. Indian numbers of professionals stand at about 60,000 every year.
The United States awards 85,000 H-1B visas per year on a lottery system, with India accounting for around three-quarters of the recipients. Of the 399,395 H-1B visas approved in 2024, Indians received an overwhelming 71 per cent. China was a distant second with just 11.7 per cent.
As the technology sector relies heavily on skilled workers from India and China to fill critical roles in technology, finance, and consulting.
Data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) showed that twelve companies dominate the employment of foreign workers under the H-1B programme and they may bear the brunt of policy shifts.
Amazon at the forefront
The most dependent on foreign workers is Amazon. Its subsidiary, Amazon Com Services LLC, secured 10,044 approvals nearly double that of its closest rivals. On top of this, Amazon Web Services (AWS) employed another 2,347 workers, bringing the total close to 12,400. For a company that thrives on innovation and a massive global workforce, curbs on visa issuances could disrupt everything from cloud computing expansion to logistics management.
Indian IT giants in crosshairs
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services exporter, is the second most reliant, with 5,505 approvals. TCS has long been a target in US political debates around outsourcing and wage competition. Any clampdown on H-1B visas could directly affect its US delivery centers, workforce pipelines, and cost structures.
Silicon Valley’s heavy reliance
Tech giants are next in line. Microsoft (5,189 approvals), Meta (5,123), Apple (4,202), and Google (4,181) all bank heavily on skilled workers from abroad, particularly in AI, cloud computing, and advanced engineering. Restrictive policies could slow down their innovation engines, especially at a time when competition with China in AI and semiconductors is intensifying.
Consulting and finance not immune
Beyond Big Tech, companies like Cognizant (2,493 approvals), Deloitte Consulting (2,353), and JPMorgan Chase (2,440) also stand exposed. These firms depend on global IT consulting talent to manage projects, develop software, and keep digital infrastructure running. Walmart (2,390), too, relies on H-1B engineers for its fast-growing e-commerce platforms. Oracle (2,092), a long-established tech player, rounds out the top twelve.
Broader implications
Though Indians will be hit hard by the move, its impact will also be felt in the US. It is too early to jump to any conclusion as the move has sparked a debate with experts predicting that the Trump-driven rollback or restriction on H-1B visas would have three major consequences: Talent shortages, rising costs and global shifts.
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The US firms could face immediate difficulty filling specialised roles, particularly in AI, cybersecurity, and software development. Companies may be forced to raise salaries to attract scarce domestic talent, driving up operating costs. And not the last, companies might move more jobs offshore to India, Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia if bringing workers into the US becomes too difficult.
The political calculus
Trump has consistently framed the H-1B programme as one that “takes away jobs” from Americans, even though multiple studies show that skilled immigrants expand the workforce and boost productivity. His new proposals are likely to appeal to his voter base but could trigger backlash from corporate America. The lobbying power of companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google suggests a tough battle ahead.
The reliance on foreign tech talent is not just marginal as it is deeply systemic, woven into the very fabric of America’s innovation economy. If the Trump administration moves ahead with visa curbs, these 12 companies stand to face not only operational hurdles but also profound strategic disruptions. Such a shift could redefine hiring models, alter global workforce distribution, and even challenge America’s stature as the world’s technology leader. The real test will be how these corporate giants recalibrate whether by reshaping talent pipelines, accelerating automation, or expanding offshore hubs to keep the engines of innovation alive and preserve the US edge in technology and science.
Firms most dependent on US-based employees with H-1 visas
1. Amazon Com Services LLC tops the list with 10,044 approvals, making it the largest employer of H-1B workers.
2. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) comes second with 5,505 approvals.
3. Microsoft Corporation follows closely with 5,189 approvals.
4. Meta (Facebook’s parent company) has 5,123 approvals.
5. Apple employs 4,202 H-1B workers.
6. Google is right behind with 4,181 approvals.
7. Cognizant has 2,493 approvals.
8. JPMorgan Chase hired 2,440 H-1B employees.
9. Walmart Associates comes next with 2,390 approvals.
10. Deloitte Consulting employs 2,353 workers on H-1B visas.
11. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has 2,347 approvals.
12. Oracle rounds out the list with 2,092 approvals.
