U.S. Visa clampdown puts Indian aspirants under pressure

Indian students and professionals are facing growing uncertainty as the United States tightens immigration norms across categories, with Indians emerging as the most affected group, said Nadadur S. Kumar, Founder and Attorney at Law of The Law Offices at a media briefing held here on Friday evening.
Kumar said approvals for F-1 student visas for Indian applicants have dropped by nearly 50 per cent this year, with applications increasingly rejected for minor technical and documentation issues. The heightened scrutiny, he said, has added to the anxiety of students planning higher education in the U.S.
He noted that working professionals are also under strain, as H-1B work visas now involve sharply increased compliance and legal costs.
In certain cases, employers are required to spend up to $100,000, making sponsorship more restrictive. With nearly 70 per cent of H-1B visas issued to Indians, the impact is disproportionately felt by Indian families settled in the U.S.
Green card backlogs remain a major challenge, with employment-based permanent residency waits stretching up to 20 years for Indian nationals, leaving families in prolonged limbo.
Kumar said the EB-5 investor programme has emerged as the most dependable alternative for those seeking stability.
The programme requires an $800,000 investment in approved regional centre projects and allows applicants already in the U.S. to obtain work authorisation within five months, avoiding consular delays.
He also highlighted the L-1 intra-company transfer visa as a viable route for eligible executives and specialised professionals.