Overview
- Tata Consultancy Services, the No. 2 H‑1B sponsor in FY2025 with 5,505 approvals, says it will stop adding new H‑1B hires in the U.S. and increase local recruitment.
- HCL Technologies says it is reducing dependence on visas and leaning on its global delivery model in response to the policy change.
- The fee is in force as a one‑time charge on new petitions, not renewals, according to White House clarification and subsequent reports.
- DHS is advancing additional H‑1B rules with publication expected in December, including tighter cap‑exemption criteria, scrutiny of violators and oversight of third‑party placements.
- Legal challenges to the surcharge are underway as reporting shows about 71% of new approvals go to Indian nationals and recent market moves hit Indian IT stocks and the rupee.