'Kerala is ready': Minister Rajeev woos companies to invest in state amid H1-B visa crisis

Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev has positioned the state as an ideal investment destination for global companies amid US President Donald Trump’s decision to hike H-1B visa fees to $100,000 per worker, a move that has heightened uncertainty for skilled professionals and multinational corporations.

Rajeev, in a LinkedIn post, said that the US move has forced several businesses to rethink their strategies, with the career paths of many young Indians now hanging in the balance.

He projected Kerala as a reliable alternative for companies looking to diversify operations. "In this moment of global disruption, Kerala offers a stable and future-ready alternative," he said. 

The US visa policy is set to affect India badly, which accounts for 71 per cent of H-1B visa holders, far ahead of China at 11.7 per cent. Indian IT service providers like Infosys, Wipro and Cognizant rely heavily on the programme to send skilled workers to the US.

Rajeev hailed Kerala's industrial policy for positioning the state as the country’s top investment hub. "Speedy approvals, transparent processes, strong state incentives, and zero hidden costs make it easy for companies to set up and scale. Added to this is Kerala’s distinction of being ranked No.1 in Ease of Doing Business reforms-a clear indicator of investor trust."

Highlighting the state’s growing talent pool, the Minister said Kerala has seen a significant growth rate of 172 per cent in skilled professionals, making it easier for companies to recruit locally. "By investing in Kerala, companies can access this talent directly, without the uncertainties of immigration policy," he added.

He further said that the expansion of IT parks and world-class Industrial-IT corridors has attracted several global software majors to Kerala, including IBM. Connectivity, including 4 major airports, two ports and other reliable networks, places Kerala as the ideal investment hub. 

"As global companies rethink their strategies in the wake of the H-1B visa crisis, Kerala stands ready with one message: Invest in Kerala. This is not just a slogan-it is a commitment to secure your growth, ensure stability, and give you access to the best talent in the world. Kerala is ready," he said.