Is the US Turning Hostile to Indian Talent? H-1B Fees Soar, EAD Ends, Citizenship Gets Tougher
The US government under the Trump administration brought in three major visa policy changes that have shocked the pool of talented Indian professionals holding H-1B visas in the US, including ending the automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) extensions since 30th October, 2025, raising the fees of H-1B visa to $100k, and tougher US citizenship civics test and stricter regulations for visa in the US. All these changes have made the US visa process costlier, and time-taking for visa applicants worldwide, especially for Indians who hold a vast majority of the US student visa, US worker visa and Permanent Residency in USA.
This Story also Contains
- Key Changes Affecting Indian Professionals in the US
- Experts Fear a Talent Drain
- Who is affected most by these visa policy changes?
- What should Indian Professionals do in the current situation?
- The Bigger Warning: Raghuram Rajan on the “Hire American” Act
- Conclusion
Read More: New Visa Rules for international Students
Key Changes Affecting Indian Professionals in the US
Here are the key changes that shape the future of Indian professions in the US.
EAD Extensions Ended
The automatic extension of work visas for dependent visa holders (H-4 spouses) has ended. This has resulted in job insecurity if visa renewals get delayed, loss of income etc.
H-1B Visa Fee Raised to $100,000
Because of this steep H-1B worker visa fee hike, employers who used to sponsor Indian tech workers have become skeptical about hiring international candidates, potentially sending them away to explore other countries like Canada, the UK, and Europe.
Tougher US Citizenship Test
Immigrants are facing challenges in taking complicated language tests resulting in long green-card backlogs.
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Experts Fear a Talent Drain
There are warnings from immigration officers, tech employers, and economists that these visa changes can divert the Indian tech talent to other abroad destinations.
“If the US keeps closing doors, Indian engineers and researchers will take their skills where they’re valued,” said a senior HR expert at a Silicon Valley firm.
Countries such as Canada and the UK have already started simplifying their post-study work options for international students, taking advantage of the American dream drift for professionals.
Also Read: Comparison of post-study work visa for US, UK, and Canada
Who is affected most by these visa policy changes?
These are the people most affected by the ongoing changes in the visa policies in the US.
Indian Professionals with H-1B & Dependents
Indian Students & OPT/STEM-OPT Participants
Indian Aspirants for U.S. Citizenship/Green Card
What should Indian Professionals do in the current situation?
Given the evolving landscape, Indian professionals must have a proactive strategy:
Verify your current visa/EAD status
Talk to your employer well in advance
Budget for increased costs
Explore alternative destinations and remote work
Document everything thoroughly
Stay informed on policy changes
Also Read:
The Bigger Warning: Raghuram Rajan on the “Hire American” Act
In a recent address, former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan cautioned that the newly proposed Hire American Act (Hire Act) poses a bigger long-term threat to Indian professionals than the H-1B fee hike itself.
He explained that while higher fees create financial strain, the Hire Act could structurally limit the number of foreign hires by making it mandatory for US companies to prove they cannot find local talent before offering roles to international applicants.
“The Hire Act goes beyond economics — it challenges the foundation of global talent exchange that drives innovation,” Rajan said.
Why It Matters?
The Hire Act could reduce the overall number of foreign workers, regardless of skill level.
Indian IT and STEM professionals — who form nearly 70% of H-1B visa holders — would be disproportionately affected.
It signals a long-term shift from a “talent-friendly” to “protectionist” US hiring model.
Conclusion
The U.S. is clearly tightening its immigration regime, and Indian talent is in the spotlight. But this doesn’t mean the dream is over. It means the conditions have changed.The US may appear less welcoming today, but Indian talent continues to be vital to its innovation economy. As rightly said by Raghram Rajan, policies like the ‘Hire Act’ could hurt the US rather than helping. Although the American dream has lost its charm, it is not dead yet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What do the USA think about India?
A:
Indian students in the USA are facing challenges including more stringent and delayed visa processes, higher costs, and uncertainty around post-study work opportunities, leading many to reconsider or shift their plans to other countries like the UK, Germany, and Ireland.
Q: Has the US blocked Indians from applying for visas?
A:
The U.S. has not stopped all visas for Indians, but it has ended the practice of "third-country stamping," meaning Indian citizens must now attend visa interviews in India for most non-immigrant visas.
Q: Is studying in the USA safe for Indian students?
A:
Yes, Indian students can feel safe studying in the US. With on-campus security and support services, universities place a high priority on student safety.
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