Following the increase in H-1B visa fees, U.S. corporations are reportedly turning their attention towards India for offshore operational opportunities through Global Capability Centres (GCCs). India, already serving several countries through its GCCs, is now a prominent location for skill-intensive projects, like artificial intelligence and pharmaceutical research. A presidential order has initiated a $100,000 fee for each new H-1B visa petition submitted after the deadline, covering applications in the 2026 lottery. This order also authorized the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department to align all implementation efforts. Guidelines have been put in place by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, US Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of State to ensure consistent enforcement. With a network of 1,700 GCCs, India provides high-level innovation support in varied sectors, ranging from German car manufacturing to drug discovery, and offering critical business function assistance.
