Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration overhaul, which includes a dramatic hike in H-1B visa fees to as much as $100,000 annually, is expected to hit some of the world’s largest technology companies the hardest. Industry giants such as Amazon, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Microsoft—firms that rely heavily on skilled foreign professionals—are likely to bear the brunt of this policy change.
The H-1B program has long been a backbone for global tech operations, allowing U.S. companies to tap into a highly skilled workforce, particularly in information technology, engineering, and software development. With Indian professionals making up the largest share of H-1B visa holders, firms with significant offshore and onsite operations could see a sharp increase in their cost structures.
Amazon, one of the biggest employers of tech talent in the United States, has consistently sponsored thousands of H-1B workers for roles ranging from cloud computing to logistics technology. With a sudden surge in visa-related costs, Amazon could face additional financial pressures, particularly in sustaining its rapid expansion in cloud services and artificial intelligence.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services exporter, may be hit even harder. With a significant portion of its U.S. workforce employed under H-1B visas, the proposed fee hike could drastically raise its operational expenses. For outsourcing firms like TCS, where cost efficiency is a core advantage, the added burden could either force price adjustments for clients or cut into margins.
Microsoft, another tech leader, has long advocated for more flexible immigration policies, arguing that the U.S. benefits immensely from global talent. With thousands of international employees across its software, research, and cloud divisions, the company may face new challenges in retaining its competitive edge if hiring foreign workers becomes prohibitively expensive.
Analysts suggest that these firms may respond by accelerating global hiring outside the U.S. If costs rise significantly in America, companies could expand their operations in Canada, Europe, or India, where skilled talent pools are equally strong and policies more welcoming. Such a shift could have long-term consequences for the U.S. innovation ecosystem, potentially leading to an outflow of talent and jobs.
Smaller technology firms and startups may also feel the squeeze, but large multinationals like Amazon, TCS, and Microsoft stand out because of their sheer scale of H-1B dependency. While these corporations have the financial muscle to absorb some of the burden, the increased costs could ripple across their supply chains and even influence hiring strategies in the years ahead.
Critics of the policy argue that the hike is less about protecting U.S. jobs and more about creating barriers for foreign professionals, which could undermine America’s status as a global technology hub. Supporters, however, claim that the move will encourage firms to prioritize local hiring, reduce dependency on foreign labor, and open more opportunities for American workers.
For now, the spotlight remains on how industry leaders will adapt. Whether they choose to absorb the costs, pass them on to clients, or restructure operations abroad, the Trump administration’s visa overhaul is set to reshape strategies in Silicon Valley and beyond.
