H-1B visa recast to benefit Indian STEM talent

THE MOVE AWAY from a lottery toa merit-based H-1Bvisa system will favour Indian STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) talent, particularly those with advanced degrees and specialised skills in STEM-related occupations, industry executives and analysts said.

- SUDHIR CHOWDHARY

India produces one of the world’s largest pools of engineers and scientists, and candidates who combine this strong foundation with expertise in emerging fields such as Al, data science, or cybersecurity will find themselves at a clear advantage.

US lawmakers are pushing bipartisan Bills to raise wages, tighten hiring rules, and end the lottery system in favour of higher pay-based selection. India accounts for 71% of H-1B approvals. As an annual producer of over 2.25 million STEM graduates, the country is uniquely positioned to benefit from this shift. Industry experts said that by rewarding higher education and niche capability, the system could open more doors for top-tier Indian professionals. Also, this move sets the stage for a new era in US-India technology collaboration, unlocking high-impact opportunities not just for individual workers, but for the entire digital economy.