**Trump’s New Visa Policy Could Impact India’s Real Estate Market**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 20, 2025, 07:13 PM*
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**Overview**
US President Donald Trump has introduced a new visa policy that may significantly affect India’s real estate market. Effective September 21, 2025, the policy imposes a hefty $100,000 annual fee on most H-1B visa petitions. This change is expected to primarily impact the residential property market in Indian metro cities, while the commercial sector might experience different trends, especially through the growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
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**Major Impact on Indian Cities**
With over 71% of H-1B approvals in the fiscal year 2024 granted to Indian nationals, experts foresee the new fee discouraging onsite deployments and reducing overseas hiring. This shift could directly affect remittance-backed home buying and long-term housing decisions among technology professionals.
Real estate analysts warn that major Indian cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Gurugram may experience a downturn in residential property demand due to this policy shift.
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**Housing Market Forecast: Three Key Risks**
Experts have highlighted three primary risks to the residential real estate market:
1. **Decline in Premium Housing Demand** – The surge in visa costs may reduce interest in high-end properties.
2. **Delayed Purchase Decisions** – US relocation postponements could lead buyers to defer property investments.
3. **Slower Absorption of Mid-to-High-End Projects** – Projects targeting technology buyers may face sluggish sales.
A Delhi NCR-based real estate consultant noted that the sudden rise in visa costs is likely to dampen the enthusiasm among overseas-bound families who planned to invest in properties back home leveraging US assignments.
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**Investment Shift: Role of Remittances**
Pareekh Jain, CEO of Pareekh Consulting, emphasized that remittances have been a significant driver of housing demand in India. While primary housing demand may see an uptick as people return from the US or relocate within Indian metros, overall investment demand is expected to weaken due to reduced remittances and increased job insecurity.
Vishal Raheja, Founder and MD of InvestoXpert, also echoed concerns that the increased H-1B visa fee could adversely impact Indian housing demand.
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**Potential Boost for Commercial Real Estate**
Despite challenges in the residential sector, there is a potential upside for commercial real estate. The growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) could accelerate as American companies restructure their staffing strategies to adapt to new visa costs.
Indian cities might witness increased office space leasing and infrastructure development as a result. According to CBRE data, GCCs currently account for 35-40% of office space absorption in metros such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.
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**Uncertainty and Shift in Global Investment Patterns**
As developers, buyers, and investors adjust to the evolving landscape, India’s real estate market is likely to move towards mid-segment housing and expanding rental ecosystems.
Akash Puri from India Sotheby’s International Realty pointed out that higher H-1B visa costs might encourage top talent to explore luxury real estate markets in other global cities. This shift could create fresh demand in markets known for stability and premium lifestyle offerings.
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**Conclusion**
The introduction of the new H-1B visa fee represents a pivotal change with far-reaching implications for India’s real estate sector. While residential markets may face short-term challenges, the commercial realty segment, powered by GCC expansion, may experience growth. Market stakeholders must closely monitor these developments to strategically navigate the changing investment climate.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/trump-s-h-1b-fee-threatens-india-s-property-boom-in-tech-hubs/story