The recent hike in H-1B visa fees to $100,000 has triggered a sell-off in Indian IT stocks, including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and HCL Tech, as investor sentiment turned negative. While this has impacted the short-term outlook, analysts believe the long-term prospects remain strong, making this dip a potential buying opportunity for value investors. Seema Srivastava of SMC Global Securities noted that although the fee hike raises operational costs and regulatory concerns, its long-term effect may be limited. The top Indian IT firms have minimal dependence on H-1B visas and are shifting towards local hiring and offshore delivery. Sugandha Sachdeva of SS WealthStreet highlighted that the fee change takes effect in 2026, giving firms time to adapt through skilling and investment in U.S. talent. Meanwhile, optimism around a U.S. Fed rate cut and an India–U.S. trade deal is expected to benefit IT stocks. Among picks, TCS is seen as a stable bet, Infosys offers growth potential, HCL Tech has a balanced outlook, while Wipro remains a high-risk option.
