Indian Students Seek New Paths as U. S. Tightens Visa Rules

The U. S. has long been a top destination for Indian students, but recent changes in immigration policies are making them think twice. The Trump administration's decision to increase the cost of H-1B visas has left many students and their families feeling uncertain about the future. Paridhi Upadhaya, an 18-year-old from Lucknow, had her plans to study computer science in the U. S. on a scholarship, but her family decided to scrap the plan after hearing about the new visa rules. "Trump's actions against immigrants have made us look for other options, " said her father, Rudar Pratap. The H-1B visa has been a key pathway for Indian students to secure high-paying jobs and permanent residency in the U. S. However, the recent announcement that the visa application fee will increase from $2, 000 to $5, 000 to $100, 000 has made many students reconsider their plans. An Indian student pursuing a master's degree in computer science in Dallas, Texas, is now facing $80, 000 in debt and an uncertain future. "My only goal right now is to finish my degree, find an internship, and try to pay off my debt, " said the student, who asked not to be named for fear of being targeted by immigration officials. "I'll move to Canada or Europe -- anywhere that actually wants us. " The H-1B visa has been a contentious issue, with supporters arguing that it brings in vital talent and opponents claiming that it suppresses wages and sidelines qualified U. S. workers. High-profile Indians who have used the program include Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, and Google parent Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, all of whom arrived in the U. S. as students. India was the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas last year, accounting for 71% of approved beneficiaries, while China was a distant second at 11. 7%, according to U. S. government data. The visa, typically issued for three years and renewable for another three, has enabled U. S. tech firms to hire millions of skilled foreign workers to fill talent gaps. However, with the U. S. tightening its borders, other countries are stepping up their efforts to attract foreign talent. China, South Korea, the UK, and Germany are actively seeking to redirect foreign talent. Philipp Ackermann, the German ambassador to India, said in a post on X this week that his country's migration policy is "like a German car - reliable, modern, and predictable. " An Indian computer science student at the University of Minnesota is considering Germany over the U. S. for further studies, citing stable immigration policies, strong demand for skilled workers, and affordable, high-quality education. "Someone from a rural background like me is unlikely to be able to afford staying here, " he said. While Germany offers stability, China is aggressively recruiting global talent with new incentives. Beijing has unveiled a new visa category that will allow successful applicants to enter, study, and work in China without having first received a job offer or research position. On the day Trump signed the $100, 000 H-1B visa fee, Chinese cities such as Jinan and Nanjing hosted massive job fairs targeting overseas talent — Jinan featured over 2, 000 employers, while Nanjing offered more than 20, 000 jobs.