H-1B Visa Fee Hike Fuels US Companies’ Interest in Indian Offshoring

The rise in H-1B visa fees, now reaching $100,000, is prompting US companies to evaluate relocating operations offshore. Experts suggest that India, through its Global Capability Centres (GCCs), is becoming a focal point for these businesses. India’s GCCs provide a broad spectrum of services, with a particular emphasis on skill-intensive areas like artificial intelligence and pharmaceutical research. This fee increase was enforced via an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The order mandates the higher fee for all new H-1B visa petitions, including those for the 2026 lottery. The State Department, along with other US agencies, has issued guidelines to ensure consistent application of the new regulations.