In addition to the technological industry, Indian students – especially those of the best universities – will probably face immediate failure. Many of them secured offer before settling with US companies and were ready to launch their full -time roles in 2026. Together with proposals to reduce working opportunities for students and authorization of minimum salary, these changes can also be discouraged by other students in considering American universities and universities.
“I was so excited that I did not have to go through the pressure of sitting for location, and I would easily go to the US with a PPO (offer before placement) in hand after the end of college,” said a student from one of the older IITs. “I’m not sure if the company will approve my sponsorship visa, and I’m waiting for another clarity that makes my family and nervous.”
H-1B is a visa who is not immigrant, used by US employers to hire foreign workers in special professions that require highly specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Technology companies and research institutions are most commonly used.
On Friday, Trump signed “restrictions on the entry of the rules of some immigration workers requiring US companies looking for qualified H-1B work visas to pay $ 100,000 for request. The rules are only for roles considered to be essential for national interest. that the fee will not apply to the existing visa holder and will only have to be paid once.
Double Whammy
The new structure of fees presents a significant financial burden on potential employers, which makes the situation comprehensive for students with existing offers before placement at hand, said Namita Mehta, president and partner of a foreign educational consultant of Red Pen.
“Smaller companies and start -ups may be forced to download offers because another $ 100,000 per employees is unsustainable. Larger companies and IT commanders are more likely to maintain these tenants, but can move roles to overseas authorities in countries with more favorable visa policies such as Canada, Ireland, Singapore or even India. “Large technology companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Google can still absorb a top -of -the -art fee, but due to the cost of incorrect hiring, they will be much more selective.”
Offers before the PPO (PPO) are becoming an increasingly important tool for hiring for companies, allowing them to ensure their top trainees as full -time employees before the official season starts. About 70% of companies this year have already selected their best candidates through PPO rather than waiting for the campus, according to AON’s Campus Hiring. These recruitment companies include American companies and multinational corporations.
According to Mehta, students can also wait for the final placement to decline in American offers.
“For students who are currently in the placement process, the opportunities in the United States are expected. Society is likely to reduce H-1B hiring for basic level roles, making it uneconomic to receive new graduates unless they fill highly specialized positions,” she said.
Non -maintenance intensifies only challenges for top universities that are struggling with slower hiring cycles, reduced offers of American and global companies, and moving the priorities of recruitment in the middle of economic uncertainties.
Stricter working rules for students?
A higher visa fee is not the only challenge that Indian students hope to study or work in the American face.
The Republican Senator Jim Banks has introduced the US technical workforce Act, legislation trying to eliminate or drastically reduce the program of optional practical training (OP), increase the minimum salary for work visas and sharply reduce the ability of US employers and universities to hire and preserve the talent of foreign tracks. Combined movements signal the most serious tightening of American qualified immigration and students for decades.
Students studying in the US usually hold a F-1 visa that allows them to perform academic studies, but does not allow employment, except for specific programs such as opt. After completing their studies, some F-1 students apply for H-1B visas to move to qualified work roles in the US. The H-1B requires the employer’s sponsorship and is subject to an annual ceiling and lottery system because demand exceeds supply.
“The additional H1 visa fee and the potential closure of the OPT program that allowed students to carry out internships and training after completing their US course in the US limited opportunities for students who moved education,” said Tarindra Kumar, educational analyst in PWC. “Without them, students will have to leave immediately after the study program, as potential recruitment organizations will be careful to pay $ 100,000 for a new graduate over and over their regular compensation.”
Kumar points out that out of the 4 students of Lakhs who have moved about studying every year, no more than 10-15% travel for strict educational purposes.
“Most students consider this to be a job and settling in the country after a study. This segment of students will be massively influenced,” Kumar said, “many of these existing students have large educational loans that plan to pay salaries from work in the US.
Departure from the US
Mehta Red Inc suggests that the cells in the leading institutions can turn towards global places where immigration pathways are clearer and cheaper, ensuring that students continue to access strong international career opportunities.
Students began to move from the US as the goal of studying abroad after stricter visa regulations.
“… now it almost dries up until the clarity of H-1B fees is available. An immediate impact on current students studying in the US discourages another wave of students planning foreign education to fly to the US,” Kumar said.
“Even the Iz of the American University’s View were international students paying fees in the main way to supply local students and grant scholarships,” Kumar says. “So in the long run, even if it hit. Students from India looking for scholarship opportunities will fight.”
Narayanan Ramaswamy, a partner and leader for education and practice skills in KPMG, said, “If I were a student, I would now worry because recent changes have not only an immediate impact on students who are currently studying abroad, but also influence students who plan it.”
He said that “European countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia, could benefit from educational immigration, followed by employment”.
Kumar PWC considers the United Kingdom to be the main recipient and, after a recent free trade agreement in the US and India, also covers its best research institutions.
Ramaswamy, however, said that the academic prowess cushion of the highest students of India from the new H-1B fees. “Kreme de la creme students from India from Institutes, which are academically highly evaluated, will continue to gain opportunities and do not make a major intervention because the US cannot immediately stop all posts and will need a qualified workforce from India.”
(Tagstotranslate) H1B Visa Feat 2025
