New Delhi: Thousands of Indian students who once viewed the United States as the ultimate destination for higher education and career opportunities are now reconsidering their plans in the wake of President Donald Trump’s sweeping H-1B visa reforms. The controversial policy, which raises application fees from a modest $2,000–$5,000 to a staggering $100,000, has sparked widespread uncertainty among students and their families.
Paridhi Upadhaya, an 18-year-old from Lucknow, was preparing to pursue a computer science scholarship in the U.S. when her family abruptly called off the plans following the visa announcement. “Trump’s unending onslaught against immigrants is forcing us to consider other destinations for her,” said her father, Rudar Pratap, reflecting a growing sentiment among Indian parents. For many, the once promising pathway from academic study to high-paying U.S. employment and potential permanent residency now seems precarious.
The H-1B visa has historically served as a gateway for foreign talent, particularly in technology and engineering. Icons like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, IBM’s Arvind Krishna, and Google parent Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai entered the U.S. as students under this system. In 2024, Indian nationals constituted 71% of all approved H-1B beneficiaries, underscoring the program’s critical role in attracting Indian talent. However, Trump’s latest measures threaten to disrupt this longstanding pipeline, prompting students to consider alternative destinations such as Canada, the UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.
Education consultants and university officials report that many students and families are now in a “wait-and-watch” mode, hesitant to commit to U.S. programs amid policy unpredictability. For those already enrolled, such as students facing tens of thousands of dollars in tuition debt, the path forward is fraught with uncertainty. The visa reforms are widely seen as a deterrent to the flow of skilled professionals that has long bolstered U.S. industries, particularly in technology.
As the American Dream for Indian students becomes increasingly elusive, other nations are seizing the opportunity to attract talent that once would have headed to the U.S. This shift signals a potentially profound realignment in global education and employment trends, with long-term implications for both students and the international competitiveness of U.S. industries.