Sensex Slips Over 0.42% as IT Stocks Drag on H-1B Visa Fee Hike

The BSE Sensex opened sharply lower on September 22, 2025, as investor sentiment weakened after the Donald Trump administration raised H-1B visa fees to $100,000. The hike directly impacts Indian IT majors, which rely heavily on on-site employees in the United States.

At 9:16 am, the BSE Sensex stood at 82,279.92, down 346 points or 0.42% in early trade.

Market Snapshot (10:46 am)

• Open: 82,151.07
• Previous Close: 82,626.23
• Day High: 82,583.16
• Day Low: 82,151.07
• 52-Week High: 85,978.25
• 52-Week Low: 71,425.01
• Current: 82,501.69 (-0.15%)

The weak start came as investors adjusted positions across IT counters, while gains in financials and autos offered limited support.

IT Stocks Lead Decline

The sharpest drags came from HCL Technologies, Infosys, TCS, and Tech Mahindra, all of which fell significantly in morning trade. These companies generate a major share of revenue from the US, making them highly sensitive to changes in immigration and visa regulations.

Infosys and TCS alone accounted for the bulk of the Sensex fall, while other IT heavyweights followed suit, extending sectoral weakness.

India’s IT Giants Face Structural Test

No other country is more exposed to the H-1B visa overhaul than India. For decades, Indian IT services firms such as Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and HCL have relied on sending thousands of engineers to US client sites. The model, built on cost efficiency and skilled manpower, now faces pressure from rising compliance costs.

Read More: H1-B Visa Fee Hike: TCS, Infosys and HCL Tech Share Price Fall up to 2% as Nifty IT Index Declines 2.5%

Conclusion

The fall in IT majors weighed heavily on the Sensex, overshadowing gains in select financial, cement, and auto stocks. With global investors reacting swiftly to the steep H-1B visa fee hike, Indian markets may witness sustained volatility in the near term.

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