Indian tech stocks rallied up to 3.4 % on 12 November after US President Donald Trump told Fox News that America “still needs skilled workers from abroad,” hinting at flexibility toward the H-1B programme despite earlier fee hikes and tougher audits. Tech Mahindra led gains, followed by Mphasis, LTIMindtree, TCS and Infosys, lifting the Nifty IT index 1.8 %.
Investors read the remarks as a possible thaw in a year that saw a US$100,000 H-1B filing fee proposal and a lawsuit by the US Chamber of Commerce. Indian IT services companies rely on thousands of H-1B petitions annually to staff client projects on-site; any easing of rhetoric can stabilise planning cycles for global mobility, bench strength and billing rates.
![Indian IT shares jump as Trump signals softer line on H-1B visas]()
Executives, however, are cautious. Consulting firm Fragomen notes that adjudication standards remain strict and higher-fee rules are still on the Federal Register. Many firms have hedged by expanding near-shore centres in Mexico and Canada and by filing more L-1 intracompany-transfer visas.
For corporate mobility managers, the market reaction underscores how political signalling—even without formal policy change—can sway talent-deployment costs and exchange-rate-linked project budgets within hours. Companies are advised to keep scenario plans ready as US immigration policy remains a swing factor heading into the 2026 mid-terms.
In the medium term, India’s growing e-Passport and FTI-TTP systems may also help returning H-1B workers re-enter the country faster, making round-trip assignments less disruptive.
Investors read the remarks as a possible thaw in a year that saw a US$100,000 H-1B filing fee proposal and a lawsuit by the US Chamber of Commerce. Indian IT services companies rely on thousands of H-1B petitions annually to staff client projects on-site; any easing of rhetoric can stabilise planning cycles for global mobility, bench strength and billing rates.
Executives, however, are cautious. Consulting firm Fragomen notes that adjudication standards remain strict and higher-fee rules are still on the Federal Register. Many firms have hedged by expanding near-shore centres in Mexico and Canada and by filing more L-1 intracompany-transfer visas.
For corporate mobility managers, the market reaction underscores how political signalling—even without formal policy change—can sway talent-deployment costs and exchange-rate-linked project budgets within hours. Companies are advised to keep scenario plans ready as US immigration policy remains a swing factor heading into the 2026 mid-terms.
In the medium term, India’s growing e-Passport and FTI-TTP systems may also help returning H-1B workers re-enter the country faster, making round-trip assignments less disruptive.
