The credit ratings agency, ICRA in its latest report has said that the recent move by the United States (US) to tighten H-1B visa norms is likely to put pressure on Indian IT firms’ margin, largely due to rise in compliances and increase in onsite hiring. However, it said that the impact will be company specific and relative to H-1B visa dependence. It added that the changes will disqualify certain positions currently eligible for H-1B visas, thereby impeding the movement of low-cost skilled labour from India and will have direct bearing on margins.
According to the report, this move will work against the Indian IT services sector (H-1B dependent) as the average wage is approximately lower by 25 percent compared to companies that are not dependent on H-1B visas as per estimates. It noted that a firm is defined as H-1B dependent if more than 15 percent of its US full-time employees are on an H-1B visa. It pointed out that awarding of H-1B visas based on highest skill or compensation, will leave less headroom for Indian companies to get such visas. It added that consequently, increased onsite hiring or raising the compensation for H-1B visa applicants will impact companies’ margins and will be credit negative.
ICRA further stated that the Trump administration is also planning to end H-4 visa regime which allows the spouses of H1-B visa holders to work legally in the US. It also feels revoking such visas will have an indirect negative impact on workers currently employed on H-1B visas or seeking such visas whose spouses are working professionals. He added that Indian companies have started to ramp up onshore hiring.
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