In a clear response to evolving global immigration policies, Google’s parent company Alphabet is planning one of its largest expansions in India by leasing office space in Bengaluru that has the potential to hire up to 20,000 additional employees. The expansion centres around the Alembic City tech corridor in east Bengaluru, where Alphabet has already leased one tower and secured options for two more, collectively totalling about 2.4 million square feet of workspace.
This expansion would substantially grow Alphabet’s footprint in India — where it already counts thousands of employees — and underscores the country’s importance as a key technology and innovation hub.
Why India? H-1B Visa Restrictions Push Talent Strategy Shift
The backdrop to this move is a tightening of U.S. immigration policies, particularly around the H-1B work visa programme. Recent changes have made H-1B visas both more restrictive and more expensive, with reports of fees rising dramatically and selection processes favouring highly paid roles. These shifts complicate the ability of U.S. tech firms to bring foreign workers — especially from India — into the United States.
As a result, companies like Google are recalibrating how they build global teams. Instead of relocating large numbers of engineers to the U.S. — often delayed by visa backlogs and costs — they are expanding operations in India itself, hiring locally for key engineering, research and product development roles. This not only reduces dependency on intricate immigration systems but also allows Google to tap into India’s vast tech talent pool more effectively.
Bengaluru: India’s Tech and AI Talent Magnet
Bengaluru — often called India’s Silicon Valley — plays a central role in this strategy. The city is home to a rapidly growing ecosystem of tech companies, R&D centres, startup accelerators and AI innovation units, making it an attractive location for international firms seeking highly skilled workers. Many roles expected at the expanded campus will focus on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, chip design and advanced research, reflecting Google’s strategic priorities in emerging technologies.
Wider Industry Trend
Google’s expansion echoes a broader trend among global tech giants. Faced with tighter visa routes in key markets, many companies are boosting hiring and investment in India, viewing it as both a source of talent and a strategic base for global operations. The shift aligns with India’s growing role in the global tech value chain and underscores the country’s rising prominence in sectors like AI and cloud services.
What It Means for India’s Tech Workforce
For Indian engineers and tech professionals, this development could translate into significant new job opportunities without the need to relocate abroad. With major global companies deepening their presence, Bengaluru — and India overall — may become an increasingly central hub for high-end technology work, innovation and research, even as international immigration policies remain unsettled.
