Trump’s $100K H-1B fee threatens India’s property boom in tech hubs

Experts have highlighted three key risks, which include dip in premium housing demand especially in areas popular among H-1B families and NRI investors, delayed purchase decisions as postponed US relocations may lead to deferred home buying, and mid-to-high-end projects aimed at tech buyers may face slower absorption.

“Analysts said that remittance-backed home purchases have been a silent driver of urban residential markets for over a decade. The sudden cost spike is expected to cool sentiment among overseas-bound families, many of whom were counting on US assignments to fuel property investments back home,” a Delhi NCR based real estate consultant said.

Pareekh Jain CEO of Pareekh Consulting said that remittances are highest in India, and much of that money goes into real estate. With H-1B visas impacted, remittances will fall, which will directly affect real estate.

“The second-order impact comes from layoffs in the IT sector, which is a major driver of housing demand. There will be two trends. Primary housing demand may rise as more people return from the US or move from smaller towns to metros, but real estate as an investment will decline. People will avoid buying second or third homes due to lower remittances and job insecurity, and instead put extra money into stocks or gold. So, while demand for affordable one- or two-bedroom homes may grow, investment demand in real estate will weaken,” he said.

Vishal Raheja, Founder & MD, InvestoXpert, said that the proposed six-figure H-1B visa fee is expected to have a ripple effect on Indian housing demand, particularly in IT-driven cities.

“The premium and luxury segment, which often relies on NRI buyers and returnees, may see some moderation in demand. However, this will be offset by rising domestic consumption and the fact that India continues to emerge as a global hub for talent, startups, and technology investments. For the industry, it underscores the need to focus on mid-segment housing, rental ecosystems, and flexible financing models, which are likely to see stronger traction,” he said.

GCC growth may get a boost

Market observers point to a potential bright spot in commercial real estate, thanks to the accelerated growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

As American firms scramble to offset rising visa and staffing costs, offshoring strategies will be revamped. Indian cities, with their cost advantages and talent pools, are likely to see a surge in office leasing and infrastructure expansion.

According to data from CBRE, GCCs account for 35–40 percent of office space absorption in metros like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. Experts now expect that figure to climb significantly in 2026, driven by reshoring of roles and operational consolidation.

What Lies Ahead?

As developers, buyers, and investors recalibrate, the sector must brace for a new era of global-local interplay—where visa walls may well shape the skylines of Indian cities.

Akash Puri, Director-International, India Sotheby’s International Realty, said that higher H-1B costs could push top talent to look beyond America’s borders.

“For luxury real estate, that means fresh demand shifting toward global cities and markets that deliver stability, access, and lifestyle,” he said.