Full Breakdown
Fewer H-1B Visas Seen as a Boost for India, Says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Minister Frames US Visa Curbs as Economic Opportunity
At the ET Startup Awards 2026 in Bengaluru (October 10, 2026), Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called the suspension of the U.S. PERM programme and tighter H-1B rules “good news” for India. He said reduced U.S. visa access will keep Indian talent at home, accelerate growth of global capability centres (GCCs), and let American firms source work remotely at a fraction of the cost of hiring immigrant workers.
Background & Context
The United States has intensified immigration controls affecting Indian tech professionals. Recent actions include:
- Suspension of new and pending PERM applications for major IT services firms—Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Capgemini, plus Microsoft and Adobe.
- A $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions introduced in September 2025 and extended until September 21, 2027.
These measures limit the pathway for Indian workers to obtain U.S. green cards, though existing H-1B visas remain valid.
Data & Statistics
- Cost comparison cited by Goyal: Remote Indian workers could be hired at “maybe one-fifth or one-sixth” the cost of an Indian professional who relocates to the United States.
Official Statements & Responses
Goyal emphasized he has never raised H-1B or green-card issues with U.S. officials during his seven-and-a-half-year tenure as commerce minister.
Why It Matters
Goyal argues the visa curbs could redirect skilled professionals toward domestic opportunities, strengthening India’s startup ecosystem and expanding GCCs in major cities. The cost advantage of remote work may make India a more attractive destination for U.S. firms seeking to outsource technology services, potentially increasing foreign investment and job creation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have never ever raised the issue of H-1B visas or green cards in all my talks with the US in the past 7.5 years as Commerce Minister,” — Piyush Goyal
- “not getting more H-1B visas is absolutely good for the Indian economy.” — Piyush Goyal
- “Bulk of the work is now coming to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai,” — Piyush Goyal
Timeline
- Early 2026 (prior to October): U.S. Department of Labor suspends PERM processing for the listed firms.
- October 9, 2026: Goyal meets global business leaders in the United States, discussing India expansion plans.
- September 21, 2027: Extension of the $100,000 H-1B fee remains in effect.