Trump decision on H1-B visas hits Telugu youth hard

HYDERABAD: The US government’s move to raise H1-B visa fees is set to derail the dollar dreams of thousands of Indian professionals, particularly youth from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The United States issues about 85,000 H1-B visas annually, of which 62,000 — nearly 73% — go to Indians. Around 35,000 of these are secured by candidates from the Telugu states. The decision is expected to severely affect their prospects, Telugu associations in America said.

Until now, companies in the US hired foreign professionals under the H1-B visa programme, initially for three years and later with extensions. Although salaries were lower than those of locals, large numbers of Indians, especially in the IT and medical sectors, took these opportunities. Nearly 73% of foreign professionals in these sectors are Indians. New H1-B visa holders have been earning about $1,00,000 a year, but under the new rules, employers must pay at least $1,50,000.

Telugu associations in the US said the move comes amid growing trade disputes between Washington and New Delhi and amounts to targeting Indian employees.

Impact on higher education

The impact is not limited to professionals. About 1,00,000 Indian students go to the US every year for courses in MS, MBA and medicine under F-1 student visas. Experts said the new rules will discourage many students, as their hopes of transitioning to employment via Optional Practical Training (OPT) and then to H1-B visas may no longer materialise.

"Many students used to pursue higher education in the US with the aim of securing H1-B visas later. Those hopes have now vanished," said Bhuvanesh, former president of the American Telugu Association. He added that Indians currently on OPT will be forced to return home once their grace period ends.