Recent survey results show that many major technology companies are expected to expand their workforce in India in 2026, driven in part by tightened H-1B visa restrictions in the United States and India’s growing role as a global talent hub. The shift reflects broader changes in how global tech firms manage workforce planning, offshoring and skills strategy amid regulatory and economic pressures.
Survey Signals Hiring Momentum In India
A report based on a survey of nearly 2,400 tech and banking professionals across India and the United States indicates that around 52 percent of respondents expect their companies to increase hiring in India in 2026. Of these:
- 34 percent anticipate a significant increase, and
- 18 percent expect a moderate rise in recruitment locally.
Respondents included professionals from major global firms such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Uber and eBay, and up to 93 percent said their companies plan to expand operations or headcount in India in the coming year, showing strong confidence in the country’s talent pool and business potential.
H-1B Restrictions Influence Hiring Strategy
A notable portion of survey participants — 28 percent — cited recent H-1B visa restrictions as a factor pushing companies to hire more in India. These new constraints include higher filing fees and changes to visa adjudication processes that many firms say make hiring and relocating foreign workers to the U.S. more complex and costly.
H-1B visa changes have been implemented alongside broader shifts in U.S. immigration policy, such as a substantial fee introduced in late 2025 for new visa applications. These factors appear to be prompting companies to reconsider where and how they source skilled labour, with India emerging as a practical alternative.
Roles And Functions Being Shifted Or Created
Survey insights and industry reports show that the shift toward India hiring takes several forms:
- About 25 percent of respondents said their firms are scaling up existing India teams.
- Around 20 percent said new roles are being created within India.
- Another 20 percent observed that specific projects or functions are being relocated to India.
These patterns suggest a combination of local expansion and offshoring, with companies aiming to leverage India’s deep talent base for core business functions and specialised work.
Impact On US-Based Jobs And Global Workforce Planning
When asked how increased hiring in India affects U.S. employment, 38 percent said these moves replace U.S. roles, while 23 percent said they complement hiring in the U.S. This underscores an ongoing debate over the balance between global talent allocation and domestic workforce protection.
Despite this, a quarter of respondents felt that visa changes had no material impact on hiring decisions, and a small share believed restrictions could actually increase U.S. hiring, showing mixed views within the global tech workforce.
India’s Growing Role In Big Tech Talent Strategy
The survey’s findings align with broader data showing increased hiring in India by major U.S. tech companies. In 2025, firms such as Meta, Apple, Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Netflix added tens of thousands of jobs in India, particularly in specialised roles like artificial intelligence, cloud computing and cybersecurity.
This trend highlights India’s expanding importance as a hub for innovation, digital talent and strategic operations for global technology leaders — a role that may strengthen further in the years ahead as geopolitical and regulatory dynamics evolve.
