TCS Shifts US Hiring Strategy: No New H-1B Applicants, Focus on Local Talent
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is making a significant shift in its US hiring strategy, moving away from new H-1B visa applicants and focusing instead on building a local American workforce. CEO K. Krithivasan has confirmed the company will not hire new H-1B applicants, while HR head Sudeep Kunnumal emphasized their business model’s flexibility to adapt to changing immigration policies.
Key Takeaways
- TCS will not hire new H-1B visa applicants in the US
- Company shifting focus to local American talent hiring
- Business model designed to adapt to H-1B policy changes
- Current H-1B workforce in US stands at approximately 500 employees
Policy Changes Drive Strategic Shift
The strategic shift comes amid the US government’s decision to increase H-1B visa fees to $100,000 annually, creating potential short-term workforce challenges for IT firms. H-1B visas are non-immigrant permits that allow US companies to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields like technology and engineering.
TCS’s H-1B Legacy and Current Position
TCS has been the largest employer of H-1B visa holders in the United States, hiring 98,259 workers between 2009 and 2025. In 2025 alone, the company recruited 5,505 H-1B workers, surpassing tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple.
CEO Krithivasan clearly stated: “We have enough people on H-1 already in the US. I don’t think we would be looking for adding to that count anytime now.”
Localization and Business Adaptation
According to Times of India reports, TCS HR head Sudeep Kunnumal confirmed the company has significantly reduced its dependence on H-1B visas while increasing local hiring in the US. Kunnumal stated: “We believe our business model will be able to adapt quickly to any changes in immigration policy.”
The company’s gradual localization of its US workforce represents a strategic response to evolving immigration regulations while maintaining operational flexibility.
