Indian tech companies have consistently been significant beneficiaries of the H-1B visa program, which allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialized occupations. Recent data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reveals that Indian-origin firms secured a notable portion of H-1B visas in 2024.
Key Findings
In 2024, USCIS approved 130,000 H-1B visas, with Indian companies accounting for a considerable share. Specifically, companies of Indian origin received 24,766 of these visas between April and September 2024. This represents approximately one-fifth of all H-1B visas issued during that period.
Top Indian Companies
Among the Indian IT companies, Infosys emerged as the leader in H-1B visa approvals, securing 8,140 visas in 2024. This placed Infosys second only to Amazon, which topped the list with 9,265 approvals. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) followed Infosys with 5,274 visas. Other major Indian firms that received a significant number of H-1B visas include:
- HCL America: 2,953 visas
- Wipro: 1,634 visas
- Tech Mahindra: 1,199 visas
These companies utilize the H-1B program to bring in professionals for specialized roles in technology, research, and development.
Overall Beneficiaries
While Indian firms secured a significant portion of H-1B visas, several US-based companies also topped the list of recipients. Amazon led with 9,265 approvals, followed by Cognizant (6,321), Google (5,364), Meta (4,844), Microsoft (4,725), and Apple (3,873).
Changes to the H-1B Visa Program
The H-1B visa program has undergone some changes recently. The USCIS has implemented a new selection method where beneficiaries are selected instead of applications, which aims to prevent large firms from overwhelming the system with multiple filings for the same individual. The registration fee has also increased from $10 to $215, and the entire process is moving online to streamline operations. These changes are expected to create a fairer selection process, increase costs for employers, and speed up processing times. The registration window for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B visa lottery opened on March 7, 2025, and closed on March 24, 2025.
Impact of Potential Policy Changes
The Trump administration has proposed a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visas, a move that could significantly impact both U.S. tech giants and India's IT workforce. Experts warn that such a policy could force top talent to seek opportunities elsewhere, potentially harming the U.S. tech industry. In 2024, India accounted for 71% of all approved H-1B applicants, making them the largest share of beneficiaries. The proposed fee increase could cost companies like Amazon billions of dollars annually. Critics, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, argue that while the program brings in global talent, the new policy could discourage companies from hiring skilled workers.
