The United States is increasingly losing skilled technology professionals to India as ongoing H-1B visa uncertainty and delays push workers to rethink their future, according to a report by Bloomberg.
For years, the US has been the preferred destination for Indian tech talent, especially in areas like software development, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data science. However, frequent visa scrutiny, long processing delays, sudden policy changes and uncertainty around renewals are now forcing many professionals to look for stable alternatives.
Bloomberg reports that a growing number of highly skilled Indian tech workers are either returning to India or choosing not to move to the US at all.
Many are attracted by better job stability, fast-growing startups, global tech offices in India, and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects without immigration stress.
Major Indian cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune are benefiting from this shift.
Global companies that once relied heavily on US-based Indian engineers are now expanding their India operations, offering competitive salaries and leadership roles.
Several professionals who spent years in Silicon Valley are returning to India to launch startups or take senior positions in multinational firms.
The H-1B visa system, which was designed to help US companies hire skilled foreign workers, has become a major pain point.
Visa caps, lotteries, site inspections and stamping delays; sometimes stretching into years; have disrupted careers and family lives. Many professionals say the uncertainty makes long-term planning nearly impossible.
In contrast, India’s tech ecosystem is maturing rapidly. Better infrastructure, global exposure, flexible work models and strong government support for startups are making the country an attractive option.
Remote work has further reduced the need to relocate abroad, allowing engineers to work on global products while staying in India.
Experts warn that if the situation continues, the US could lose its edge in innovation. Indian talent has played a key role in building America’s tech dominance, from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Losing this talent pool could impact competitiveness, especially at a time when global demand for AI and advanced tech skills is rising.
As Bloomberg notes, unless immigration policies become clearer and more predictable, the brain drain may increasingly tilt from West to East, marking a major shift in the global technology landscape.