Markets Slip as Infosys, TCS Shares Drop Amid US H-1B Visa Fee Hike

Markets opened lower today as the announcement of a steep increase in the US H-1B visa fee sent shockwaves through Indian IT stocks . The hike, which pushes the visa fee from $2,000–$5,000 to a staggering $100,000, has unsettled investors and professionals alike. The H-1B visa is a vital channel for thousands of Indian tech workers employed by US companies, making the move a significant blow to the sector. Indian IT giants such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and HCLTech saw their share prices slump sharply in early trading. The US administration clarified that the new fee would apply only to new applicants, but uncertainty still prevails. The government in New Delhi has expressed concern over the move’s humanitarian and economic consequences and hopes for a resolution that considers mutual benefits in innovation and talent mobility.