Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced a significant change in its hiring strategy regarding H-1B visa applicants. K. Krithivasan, the CEO, confirmed in a recent interview that TCS will not recruit new H-1B holders in the near term. Instead, the company aims to strengthen its local workforce in the United States and other strategic markets.
TCS’s H-1B Hiring Policy Shift
TCS has a notable history as the largest employer of H-1B holders in the U.S. The firm has employed 98,259 H-1B visa workers from 2009 to 2025. In 2025, TCS hired 5,505 applicants under this visa category, surpassing major companies like Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google.
Future Plans for Workforce Expansion
Krithivasan emphasized that TCS has sufficient personnel already in the U.S. and does not plan to increase this number through new H-1B hires. “We are looking to increase our local participation,” he stated. The company intends to evaluate existing H-1B visa renewals on a case-by-case basis, aligning with its strategy to bring talent back to India.
Adapting to Market Dynamics
As TCS expands its presence globally, it also aims to maintain a high percentage of local employees in regions such as Latin America, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific. The rise of AI-based projects necessitates closer collaboration with clients, underscoring the importance of local hires.
Industry Impact and Expert Opinions
This strategic shift is seen as a precursor to broader changes in the industry. M. Dinesh, a consultancy manager in Hyderabad, remarked that TCS’s decision could influence other major companies like Amazon, Cognizant, and Microsoft. Many of these corporations might now favor L-1 visas for on-site transfers, potentially reducing the demand for new H-1B applications.
- TCS non-hiring policy for new H-1B applicants.
- 98,259 H-1B hires from 2009 to 2025.
- Local workforce expansion in the United States and global markets.
- Shift towards L-1 visas for staffing U.S. operations.
Overall, TCS is reshaping its visa hiring strategy to adapt to evolving business needs, which may set new trends for multinational corporations operating in the U.S.
