U.S. visa restrictions under President Trump are prompting American companies to increasingly shift high-value work to India.
Washington
U.S. President Donald Trump’s crackdown on H-1B visas is expected to accelerate the relocation of critical work to India, boosting the growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) that manage high-value functions from finance to R&D, say industry experts.
India, home to 1,700 GCCs—over half of the global total—has evolved from a tech support hub into a centre of innovation spanning areas such as luxury car design and drug discovery. Trends like the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence and tightening visa rules are prompting U.S. companies to rethink workforce strategies, with India’s GCCs positioned as resilient, in-house engines blending global expertise with local leadership.
“Plans are already underway to shift more strategic and innovation-led mandates to India,” said Rohan Lobo, Deloitte India partner and GCC leader, highlighting growing activity in tech and financial services, particularly among firms with U.S. federal contracts.
Trump recently raised H-1B visa application costs from $2,000–$5,000 to $100,000, while U.S. senators reintroduced legislation to tighten H-1B and L-1 visa rules. Experts anticipate that U.S. firms may increasingly move AI, product development, cybersecurity, and analytics roles to Indian GCCs to retain control of strategic functions.
While concerns remain over potential disruptions from the proposed HIRE Act, which could impose a 25% tax on offshore work, Nomura analysts suggest that rising demand for GCC services may offset revenue losses. India’s GCC sector is projected to host more than 2,200 companies by 2030, with a market size approaching $100 billion, as U.S. firms seek alternatives to restrictive visa policies.
