As international policy pivots, India’s human capital is emerging as a prized global commodity. The recent increase in U.S. H-1B visa application fees to US $100,000 highlights how dependent major economies remain on skilled Indian labour. Indian professionals already account for roughly 70-75% of all H-1B visa holders, making India the primary source of technology and innovation talent for global markets. This dominance reflects not just migration trends but also India’s expanding influence on where companies base their operations, how they structure remote or offshore teams, and the way governments weigh immigration as a strategic economic lever.

For multinational corporations, access to India’s engineers, data scientists, and research specialists is now central to competitiveness. Countries from the United States to Europe and Asia are recalibrating policies to attract or retain this talent pool, even as political pressures push for stricter immigration controls. For India, this moment carries both opportunity and risk: rising global demand can boost remittances and knowledge transfers, yet restrictive policies or deteriorating work conditions abroad could slow the flow. Sustained investment in education, advanced skilling, and domestic job creation will be critical to ensure India benefits fully from its most coveted resource its people.