(UNITED STATES) Tata Technologies will hire more American workers in the United States and scale back its use of the H-1B visa program, after a steep fee increase and tighter immigration rules took effect in October 2025. CEO Warren Harris said the company is “reacting and responding to the change in legislation in and around visas,” pointing to a new $100,000 H-1B visa fee that he described as a clear signal from Washington. The shift aligns with the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda and reflects a broader move by global tech and engineering firms to rely more on local talent to avoid visa risk and protect U.S. contracts.
Harris confirmed the company will recruit more local U.S. nationals for American operations rather than depend on Indian or other foreign workers on temporary visas. “We will be recruiting more local nationals in the United States,” he said, framing the change as both a policy response and a business safeguard.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, companies with large North America portfolios are recalibrating hiring to match client expectations and to keep projects moving without immigration delays.
Company size, market mix, and objectives
Tata Technologies already employs more than 12,000 people worldwide and says over 70% of staff in key markets—including the U.S., U.K., China, and Sweden—are local hires.
- North America accounts for about 20% of Tata Technologies’ ₹51.68 billion ($588 million) revenue in 2024–2025.
- By boosting U.S. headcount, the firm aims to:
- Stabilize delivery,
- Maintain access to contracts that favor domestic employment,
- Reduce exposure to sudden visa changes.
Policy shift and hiring plan
The pivot follows a sharp increase in H-1B costs and tighter compliance rules under President Trump’s policy framework.
- Executives say the fee rise, set at $100,000 per H-1B, changes the cost-benefit math for bringing in foreign specialists.
- The firm will prioritize staffing American roles with U.S. citizens and permanent residents where possible.
- Cross-border transfers will be reserved for niche needs that cannot be filled locally.
Management expects this mix to protect U.S. business continuity and keep delivery steady if visa rules tighten again. Leadership remains upbeat about the U.S. outlook and projects a rebound in demand within 6–9 months, despite trade and tariff headwinds that pressure global supply chains.
For official program details, see the federal overview of H-1B requirements on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services page: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations. That page explains employer obligations, cap seasons, and the definition of “specialty occupation,” though Tata Technologies’ current plan is to reduce use of the category in favor of local hiring in the United States 🇺🇸.
Key takeaway: the company is shifting hiring toward U.S.-based talent to reduce visa exposure and meet client expectations for local delivery.
Industry ripple effects and contract pressures
Tata Technologies’ stance mirrors a broader recalibration across Indian IT and engineering firms:
- Higher costs and more scrutiny are prompting companies to pause or scale back H-1B sponsorship.
- Client procurement frameworks increasingly reward domestic headcount, so local recruiting helps meet contract requirements.
- Building a stronger U.S. talent bench is seen as a way to speed delivery and win work that favors onshore teams.
The company is also expanding capacity through strategic deals. For example, its recent €75 million acquisition of Germany’s ES-Tec Group expands systems engineering capabilities and supports global delivery without heavy reliance on temporary visa flows.
Quick facts and figures
| Item | Figure / Note |
|---|---|
| H-1B fee (current rules) | $100,000 per H-1B |
| Local hires in key markets | >70% |
| Global employees | 12,000+ |
| North America revenue share (2024–2025) | ~20% of ₹51.68 billion ($588M) |
Workforce and community impacts
The hiring shift has tangible consequences for workers and families:
- For American engineers and designers (automotive, aerospace, digital engineering), the change signals more job openings and clearer career paths within Tata Technologies’ U.S. teams.
- For international candidates who hoped to join via H-1B, opportunities may narrow in the short term as companies prioritize local recruits.
- Some projects that once relied on rotational or visa-based assignments could now be staffed by U.S. hires to reduce compliance risk and avoid large visa fees.
Company officials also noted that increasing U.S. hiring helps in contract competitions: several large U.S. clients score bidders based on local employment, so domestic hiring improves competitiveness and reduces vulnerability to adjudication timelines or policy shifts.
Context: policy debate and company strategy
The move fits the administration’s America First framing: supporters argue higher H-1B fees protect wages and create more roles for U.S. workers, while critics warn sudden cost spikes can limit access to specialized skills.
Tata Technologies’ approach attempts to balance both concerns:
- Grow local teams to meet client expectations and reduce visa volatility.
- Preserve global expertise through acquisitions and selective transfers when niche skills are required.
Executives emphasize the change is structural, not temporary. Management signals continuity rather than retreat: the U.S. market remains central, and leaders expect growth to pick up within the next two quarters. By prioritizing local staffing, the firm aims to reassure customers that delivery will not hinge on visa approvals or shifting caps.
VisaVerge.com reports other Indian multinationals are taking similar steps—boosting U.S. campus recruiting, expanding apprenticeship tracks, and targeting mid-career hires—to fill client-facing roles. Combined with higher H-1B costs, these measures point to a lasting realignment: more local jobs in the United States and stricter internal criteria for when to sponsor foreign workers.
Conclusion
Tata Technologies’ message is straightforward: invest in American teams, match customer expectations for local delivery, and trim exposure to visa shocks. The firm believes this strategy will:
- Keep U.S. workstreams stable,
- Help qualify for sensitive contracts,
- Support the next phase of North American growth under the current policy climate.
This Article in a Nutshell
Tata Technologies will scale back H-1B sponsorship and increase U.S. hiring after a steep H-1B fee ($100,000) and stricter compliance rules effective October 2025. CEO Warren Harris cited legislative changes and the Washington signal as drivers. The company already employs over 12,000 people globally and reports more than 70% local hires in key markets; North America represents about 20% of its 2024–2025 revenue. The strategy aims to stabilize delivery, meet client procurement requirements that favor domestic employment, and reduce exposure to visa volatility. Cross‑border transfers will be limited to niche needs, and management forecasts a demand rebound in 6–9 months. The move mirrors broader industry shifts among Indian and global tech firms adapting to higher visa costs and tighter rules, and includes strategic acquisitions, such as the €75 million purchase of ES‑Tec Group, to bolster capabilities without heavy reliance on temporary visas.
