On September 19, 2025, President Trump signed a new rule requiring companies to pay a $100,000 fee for each new H-1B visa they sponsor. Only new applications submitted on or after September 21, 2025, will be subject to this fee. If this fee is not paid, the foreign worker a company is trying to hire will not be allowed to enter the United States. Those who are merely renewing their current H-1B visa or who already have a valid visa are exempt from this fee. The rule's objective is to encourage companies to give hiring American workers top priority.
Businesses were compelled to take prompt action after the announcement caused instant confusion. Before the rule went into effect, major tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon, as well as banks like JPMorgan, advised their employees who were going overseas to return to the United States in order to avoid the possibility of being denied re-entry.
Businesses face a major obstacle as a result of this high fee:
History demonstrates that businesses simply open more offices and hire more people abroad when it becomes more difficult to attract talent to the United States. Tech hubs in Canada, Europe, and the UK, which are thought to be more receptive to foreign talent, will probably gain from this.
For tech leaders and decision-makers, this means they have to factor in higher costs for some U.S.-based services. The company should likely focus on learning how to hire, manage, and work with teams that are located outside of the United States if it wants to remain competitive. More "offshoring" and "nearshoring" – sending work to neighboring countries – will be employed.
The company's future will be greatly impacted by the choice of the best software development vendor. You can find a company that does more than just write code by screening partners who have a proven track record, real expertise, and openness about their working methods. This will help your business grow and succeed.
Using websites like Upwork or Freelancer, you can hire independent freelance developers from other nations in place of working with a company. This is a very adaptable setup for quick or easy jobs. After reviewing their profiles and reviews, you can decide whether to hire them on an hourly basis or for a specific project.
Perfect for: Short, exact tasks or situations where you have the time and capacity to closely supervise and control the work.
Benefits: You can access a wide talent pool and reduced rates. Freelancers are very easy to hire or fire as needed.
Drawbacks: Freelancers' dependability and quality can vary greatly. You have to invest your own time in managing them directly and assessing their abilities. They may work on multiple projects at the same time or depart before your project is finished.
For corporations with long-term, strategic needs, an offshore development center (ODC) is a dedicated office that can be established in another country. This center is set up with help from a partner company and is staffed by developers who work only for you. Usually, this begins as a "Build-Operate-Transfer" agreement, in which the vendor constructs and manages the center for a period of time before you have the choice to eventually assume complete ownership. The ODC operates similarly to your own overseas branch office.
The best choice for: Corporations that require dozens of developers to work nonstop for years.
Profits: For a very large team, you can attain the highest long-term cost savings and the greatest amount of control.
Shortcomings: This model only makes financial sense on a very large scale. It involves a significant amount of administrative overhead, legal work, and setup effort. It is not economical for small teams or brief projects. To get around this complexity, the majority of companies employ dedicated team or project-based models.
By using this approach, you contract with an offshore company to handle the entire project. They take care of everything from planning and coding to testing and delivering the finished product after you give them a list of your requirements. When you have specific goals and deadlines, this works best. You only monitor the overall progress; you don't oversee the daily tasks. Typically, payment is either based on the time and materials used or a set price for the entire project.
The best fit for: When you don't have an internal team or when you want one partner to manage every part of creating a specific application.
Advantages: They offer a fully functional team and process; you obtain a final product without having to handle it.
Downsides: You don't have much control over your day. Any miscommunications or adjustments you request could cost you more time and money.
In this scenario, a business employs full-time developers (and testers or designers if needed) to work solely on your projects, acting as a remote team member. This is ideal for long-term projects or products that need constant attention and are constantly evolving. You have direct control over them – you set priorities, assign tasks, and have daily meetings. For these workers, the offshore business manages all hiring, payroll, and office administration. You pay a fixed monthly fee to each team member.
A good option for: When you have a steady flow of work and you want the same team to stay knowledgeable and dedicated to your project over time.
Benefits: You can easily scale the team up or down, have a lot of control, get cheaper offshore rates, and avoid the headaches of payroll and human resources.
Cons: Even in slow times, you have to pay a monthly fee for each person and commit for a longer duration.
Belitsoft is a trusted software development firm located in Poland, Eastern Europe. Since 2004, they have concentrated on building specialized teams for a range of clients, from startups to scale-ups and mature companies, often helping them integrate complex, disparate projects into a single system.
The company employs close to 400 people, including software developers, QA engineers, project managers, and business analysts. Their engineers are skilled in many different technologies, such as PHP, C++, Python, Java, and .NET.
Having worked on over 300 medium-to-large-scale projects in a variety of industries, including healthcare, e-learning, fintech, logistics, and telecommunications, Belitsoft has over 20 years of experience and a strong track record.
Approximately one-third of all new clients are recommended by their satisfied current clients due to their strong reputation for quality and teamwork.
Half of their clients have been with them for more than five years, and nine out of ten clients who begin a project with them go on to work with them later.
Belitsoft offers a wide range of services related to software development. This means using cutting-edge technologies like data analytics and artificial intelligence, moving existing systems to the cloud (like Azure or AWS), and creating original applications from the ground up.
They have extensive, validated experience in regulated, complex domains like healthcare and finance, so they are not merely generalists. For example, they are adept at creating software for the healthcare sector that complies with strict US regulations like HIPAA and can interface with hospital record systems.
Their customers rate them highly (4.9 out of 5) on independent business review websites. Clients frequently compliment them on their technical proficiency, ability to communicate clearly, and timely and cost-effective delivery of well-written, secure code.
Cost effectiveness is a key factor in US businesses' decision to work with Belitsoft. When compared to hiring developers locally in the US, US clients can usually cut their development costs by 30% to 60% by utilizing their team in Poland without compromising the caliber of the work.
The advantages are obvious for a US company. You can collaborate with them by employing a dedicated software development team that works remotely as an extension of your own team. They do all of the administrative and human resources work, and you oversee their daily responsibilities.
For US businesses, especially those looking for a long-term partner to manage complex software projects at a reasonable cost while maintaining efficient communication and control, Belitsoft is a reliable and strong choice.
Accenture is a large, well-known company that offers consulting and technology services all over the world. A US company can act as an offshore partner by using its large teams in other countries, like India and the Philippines, to outsource software development tasks.
The company's most well-known work involves managing massive, intricate projects for big businesses. Its main advantages are its global presence, the ability to manage a project from start to finish, and its in-depth understanding of industries like cloud computing and artificial intelligence. When clients require a partner to oversee a comprehensive digital transformation of their company, they turn to Accenture.
A US client should take into account the substantial drawbacks, though. Clients frequently lament that communication can be slow and occasionally ineffective due to Accenture's size and intricate internal structure. When it can be difficult to make changes to a project or get timely responses, agility is reduced. This large corporate structure can also lead to the drawn-out and complex process of starting a project.
In addition, Accenture's services are highly costly due to their premium pricing. They frequently have rigid pricing structures. Because of their high cost and rigid structure, they are not a good fit for startups, small and medium-sized businesses, or any project with a limited budget.
Toptal is not a typical software development firm. Rather, it is a global marketplace that links you with independent freelance designers, software developers, and financial professionals.
Speed and accessibility are Toptal's main benefits for a US company. You can easily find a highly qualified freelancer for a short-term, specialized task. This is helpful if you don't want to go through a drawn-out hiring process and need a niche specialist for a few weeks or months.
Toptal is a less desirable option for a long-term offshore development partner due to a number of serious disadvantages.
To begin with, the cost is high. You are paying premium rates for these independent contractors, which are often much higher than those of a development company that hires teams in Asia or Eastern Europe. Furthermore, markups and fees could make the total cost appear higher than it actually is.
Second – and possibly most importantly – Toptal provides you with a freelancer instead of a managed team. This implies that, as the client, it is your duty to manage that person. You need to guide them every day, give them assignments, assess their work, and ensure that it is of a high caliber. This requires a significant amount of your own time and time management skills.
Third, instability is a possibility. Freelancers frequently have to divide their attention between several projects at once. If a better opportunity arises, they may also abandon your project before it is completed, which could throw off your schedule and leave you without a developer.
In conclusion, when you have a manager on hand to supervise the work, Toptal is a great tool for locating a specific expert for a short, clearly defined project.
India is home to the headquarters of Wipro, a massive international information technology corporation. It serves customers worldwide, including numerous large American corporations, and employs hundreds of thousands of people. Custom software development, digital transformation, and IT infrastructure management are just a few of the many services it provides.
Wipro's massive scale and worldwide delivery capabilities are its key advantages as a US company. Wipro can supply the numbers you need if your project is large, intricate, and calls for a large pool of resources. They have worked with large companies in industries like banking, healthcare, and retail for a long time. Managing large volumes of work at a competitive, economical price point is the foundation of their business strategy.
However, take into account the substantial trade-offs associated with this large-scale model. Due to Wipro's size, intricate corporate structure, and global teams, clients frequently complain about communication and agility issues. Because decisions may need to pass through several levels of management, getting answers or making changes to a project can occasionally be a slow process. Slower reaction times and a decrease in the project's overall flexibility may result from this.
Furthermore, their engagement and pricing strategies are often designed for large-scale, long-term contracts and may not be flexible enough to accommodate smaller projects or companies with changing needs. They are therefore less suitable for new or mid-sized enterprises.
A project's continuity and knowledge base may be disrupted by staff turnover and inconsistent skill levels among team members assigned to a project, according to some clients.
In conclusion, very large US businesses that need to carry out significant, standardized technology projects can rely on Wipro as a strong and trustworthy partner. However, Wipro's extensive corporate structure and procedures can be a major drawback for businesses seeking a more agile, responsive, and tightly integrated partner for product development.
With its headquarters in India, Tata Consultancy Services has over 500,000 employees in dozens of nations. For a US company, TCS offers a comprehensive range of technology services, such as consulting, support, and custom software development for emerging technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
The company's main strength is its ability to oversee complex, large-scale projects for very large corporations. TCS has the size and expertise to handle a multi-million dollar project for a Fortune 500 company that calls for a sizable workforce and an international support system. Their business strategy is based on providing high-volume, reasonably priced services while utilizing their sizable Indian workforce.
However, there are important trade-offs associated with this very large scale that a US client should take into account. TCS's internal procedures can be convoluted and slow due to its size. Customers frequently discover that decision-making and communication are not very flexible, which can result in slower reaction times and make it challenging to make last-minute project modifications.
Additionally, obtaining and overseeing very large, long-term contracts with massive corporations is TCS's primary focus. These "big-ticket" transactions are the focus of their entire organization. This suggests that they are usually not appropriate for mid-sized projects that need a customized approach, startups, or small enterprises. In a very large system, you would be a very small client.
To sum up, TCS is a great option for a large US company that needs to carry out a complex technology project where cost-effectiveness at scale is the primary concern.
However, TCS's sizable corporate structure and emphasis on large clients can be a significant drawback for a US business seeking a more flexible, responsive, and tightly integrated partner for a product that might need to change.
India is the birthplace of the massive, international information technology corporation Infosys. It employs hundreds of thousands of people.
For a US company, Infosys's main strengths are its massive scale and global delivery capabilities. If you are a very large enterprise, such as a Fortune 500 company, and you have a huge, complex project that requires a vast pool of resources, Infosys can provide that.
A US client should take into account the substantial trade-offs associated with this large-scale model. Because of the company's size and complex corporate structure, clients often complain that Infosys can be less agile and that communication can be slow. Navigating several levels of management to get decisions made or make changes to a project can hinder progress and limit flexibility.
Furthermore, obtaining and overseeing very large, long-term contracts with massive corporations is Infosys' primary focus. Smaller customers frequently feel that Infosys's contract terms and pricing are rigid and unsuitable for their requirements. You might receive less individualized attention because you would be a small client in a very large system.
In conclusion, Infosys is a great option for a large US company that needs to carry out a complex technology project where cost-effectiveness on a large scale is crucial. However, Infosys's big corporate structure and emphasis on large clients can be a big drawback for a US company searching for a more responsive, agile, and closely integrated partner for a product that might need to evolve.
Globant is a large, modern software development and IT services company known for its focus on digital innovation. Although it has its headquarters in San Francisco, California, it uses a global workforce, employing roughly 29,000 people in 33 countries. The company is renowned for assisting companies with artificial intelligence, updating technology, and enhancing the clientele's experience. It regularly works with well-known businesses like Google and Electronic Arts.
As a US-based company, Globant's main advantages are its strong focus on innovation and design. Clients say the company is a good choice for managing sophisticated, large-scale projects. Also, it is particularly skilled at creating user-friendly digital experiences. For companies wishing to undergo a major digital transformation, they make an excellent partner.
However, there are significant trade-offs to consider. Globant's services are regarded as high-end and costly. Startups, small businesses, and projects with limited funding may find their services unaffordable due to their frequently high minimum project size and budget requirements.
Due to the company's rapid growth and use of teams spread across the globe, some clients have also voiced concerns about communication problems. Project delays may result from these difficulties, which can occasionally result in sluggish or disorganized information sharing. They may be less nimble than smaller, more centralized businesses as a result of this structure.
In conclusion, Globant is a strong and creative partner for big US companies that require a partner for a significant digital transformation project and have sizable budgets. However, for US companies that are smaller, have more limited budgets, or need a highly responsive and agile partner for a product that requires close collaboration, Globant's high price and intermittent communication problems can be a significant disadvantage.
With its headquarters in India, Tech Mahindra is a huge, global information technology company that employs about 150,000 people. It provides a wide range of services, including software development outsourcing, digital transformation, and IT support.
Tech Mahindra's key advantages as a US company are its size and deep industry expertise. Tech Mahindra has the resources and experience to handle any large corporation's complex project that calls for a big, international team and specialized domain knowledge.
But, because Tech Mahindra is such a large organization with a complex, multi-layered structure and teams spread across the globe, clients frequently report communication and agility issues; getting answers or making changes can be a slow process, which can lead to slower response times and project delays; starting a new project and getting the team fully up to speed can be a lengthy process, which can impair a project's overall speed and flexibility; and their pricing and contract models are often designed for large, long-term engagements and can be rigid.
Because of this, they are not as well suited for projects with changing needs or for startups or small and medium-sized enterprises. A project's continuity and steady progress can be disrupted by staff turnover and inconsistent skill levels among assigned team members, according to some clients.
In conclusion, Tech Mahindra is a great option for a US corporation that needs to carry out a large, clearly defined technology project where industry-specific expertise and global scale are the top priorities. However, Tech Mahindra's large corporate structure can be a major disadvantage for a US company seeking a more responsive, nimble, and closely integrated partner for a product that may need to change and adapt quickly.
NTT DATA is a major worldwide provider of IT services, with its headquarters located in Tokyo, Japan, and a substantial global presence, including in the US. With roughly 198,000 employees, it offers a wide range of services, from managing intricate digital transformations for major industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and finance to developing and consulting on custom software.
The main advantages of NTT DATA for a US company are its worldwide reach and dependability. It can offer service and support around-the-clock because it has offices and delivery facilities all over the world. It has experience managing large, mission-critical projects for Fortune 500 companies and government agencies due to its vast size and lengthy history. Customers appreciate its capacity to oversee secure, large-scale projects that demand rigorous regulatory compliance.
However, there are a lot of trade-offs associated with this enterprise-focused, large-scale model. The quality and coordination of its numerous scattered worldwide teams can also be uneven, according to some clients, which occasionally affects a project's outcome.
In conclusion, NTT DATA is a great option for a large US company looking for a partner for a multi-million dollar, long-term technology transformation where enterprise-grade security and global resources are of utmost importance. However, for a US company looking for a more adaptable, responsive, and cost-effective partner for a product that requires close coordination and flexibility, NTT DATA's large corporate structure might be a major disadvantage.
HCLTech is a massive global technology company with its headquarters in India that employs over 223,000 people in 60 countries. Software development, cloud computing, digital transformation, and IT support are just a few of the many services it offers to sectors like manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare, and finance.
HCLTech's major advantages as a US-based business are its vast global reach and engineering-focused approach. HCLTech is capable of managing large, complex projects that call for a large team and global resources, such as those found in Fortune 500 companies. Customers compliment the business on its large-scale delivery capabilities and innovative culture.
A US client should take into account the substantial trade-offs associated with this large-scale model. Clients frequently complain about communication and speed issues because HCLTech is such a large organization with a complicated management structure and teams dispersed throughout the world. Slow decision-making or answer-gathering can result in slower reaction times and sporadic issues with team coordination. Starting a new project can also be a lengthy process, which can hinder the project's overall speed and flexibility.
Additionally, their contract and pricing models can be rigid and are frequently created for big, long-term engagements. Because of this, they are not as well suited for small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, or projects with limited funding. A project's steady progress and end results may be disrupted by staff turnover and inconsistent skill levels among team members assigned to the project, according to some clients.
In conclusion, HCLTech is a great option for a US enterprise that needs to carry out a large, clearly defined technology project where engineering resources and global scale are of utmost importance. However, HCLTech's large corporate structure can be a major disadvantage for a US company seeking a more responsive, nimble, and closely integrated partner for a product that may need to change and adapt quickly.
The price isn't fixed; it changes a lot depending on which company you choose to work with and the specifics of your project. The following are the primary determinants of the ultimate cost:
This is the biggest factor. The price is determined by the size of your project, including how many different screens it has, how many types of users will interact with it, and how sophisticated the features are.
If your application calls for complex, "fancy" features like real-time data processing, AI, or complex system integration, the price will be significantly higher. It takes a lot more time and specialized skills for developers to create these features.
Although senior developers bill more, they frequently work more productively and produce better, more dependable code, which can ultimately result in cost savings.
Where your development team is based makes a huge difference in cost. For example, a team based in the United States might charge between $120 and $250 per hour. In contrast, a team in Eastern Europe can offer similar quality for a much lower overall project price. For example, an average project that costs $220,000 with a US team might cost around $90,000 with an Eastern European team.
User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design refer to how your software looks, feels, and is easy to use. A good design is a deliberate step in the process, not something that just happens. The creative design phase alone may actually be responsible for 15% to 25% of the project's total cost. This is an investment to make sure users enjoy and find your software easy to use.
It's likely that your new software will need to "talk" to existing tools, such as your payment systems, customer database, or legacy software. Connecting to unique or outdated proprietary systems can be challenging, whereas standard connections (such as to a shared payment gateway) are typically simple. The budget and schedule of your project may be impacted by this additional work.
This is a specialized task if you need to move data from an outdated system into your new software. Writing unique scripts and conducting extensive testing are necessary to ensure that no data is lost or corrupted. This procedure lengthens the project timeline and raises the final cost.
