The Trump administration’s crackdown on H-1B visas is expected to accelerate the migration of critical U.S. business operations to India, according to a new report.

The analysis suggests that restrictions on the visa program, coupled with increased application fees, will “turbocharge” the expansion of global capability centers (GCCs) in India. These centers, run by U.S. companies, manage operations ranging from finance to research and development.

Rohan Lobo, a partner and GCC industry leader at Deloitte India, said several U.S. firms are already reassessing their workforce needs. “Plans are underway for such a shift, pointing to greater activity in financial services and technology, particularly among companies with exposure to federal contracts,” he noted. GCCs, he added, are “uniquely positioned” to absorb these functions as in-house engines of growth.

Industry experts believe that if the visa restrictions remain unchallenged, U.S. firms will relocate high-value work related to artificial intelligence, product development, cybersecurity, and analytics to India, choosing in-house global centers over third-party outsourcing.

On September 19, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee for each new H-1B application, calling it an incentive to hire American workers. The announcement triggered confusion, with concerns it might affect existing H-1B holders.

The White House later clarified that the fee applies only to new visas, not renewals or current workers. Days later, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed regulatory changes to replace the current lottery with a weighted system favoring highly skilled applicants.

Analysts say the measures could have the unintended effect of strengthening India’s position as a hub for U.S. companies, with GCCs gaining a larger role in global innovation and business continuity.