The radical moves of Donald Trump, the newly elected President of the USA, are expected to shake the entire world starting January 2025, once he is sworn in, as per reports.
One of the most significant changes likely to impact the world is the abolishment of the H1B visa program. According to available information, Trump plans to scrap the H1B program permanently.
His approach toward foreign students is clear. He has stated that those with the merit to secure admission in top-tier universities like Harvard, MIT, or Stanford—or equivalent institutions—will be granted Green Cards upon completing their studies.
However, students graduating from lower-ranked universities will be allowed to stay in the USA on OPT (Optional Practical Training) status, not for three years as is currently the case, but for six years. Thus, Trump plans to extend the OPT period to six years.
After completing this extended OPT period, these students will be required to return to their home countries. With the H1B visa eliminated, there will be no opportunity to apply for a Green Card. Additionally, OPT status will not provide a pathway to Green Card applications.
This policy means students unable to secure admission to top-tier universities should prepare to stay in the USA for only six years post-graduation, after which they must return to their native countries. For such students, settling in the USA after studying there will remain an unfulfilled dream.
Impact on Software Employees and Onsite Jobs
For software engineers and professionals in other fields seeking onsite opportunities, the only visa option will be the L1 visa, as the H1B program will no longer exist.
"America First" Policy and Its Consequences:
Trump's "America First" policy prioritizes jobs for American citizens over foreign workers. In this scenario, for any job that a U.S. citizen qualifies for, the citizen will be given preference—even if a foreign worker is more talented. This is a significant blow to foreign professionals who consider the USA their ultimate destination for career growth.
Rationale Behind the Policy:
The underlying idea is that students joining top-tier universities are more likely to start companies in the USA and generate employment opportunities.
On the other hand, graduates from other universities are perceived as taking jobs from U.S. citizens without contributing to the nation's economy. Therefore, the new government plans to send such students back permanently after six years.
Repercussions in India:
The effects of this policy in India are expected to be significant, especially in the real estate sector. Currently, real estate markets in cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune thrive largely because of young NRIs working abroad. If this exodus stops, fewer people in India will be able to afford luxury gated community homes priced at â¹3–4 crore. Consequently, the real estate market could face a downturn.
Another major impact will be on marriages. Presently, many young Indian men face challenges finding brides due to the perceived preference for NRI grooms who promise a higher standard of living in the USA.
With these policy changes, it is anticipated that men who return from the USA after six years of studies will struggle to find brides. Brides may prefer graduates from top-tier universities who secure Green Cards after their studies, significantly increasing the demand for such individuals.
With fewer professionals being able to work in the USA, the demand for high-paying jobs in India could rise, leading to intense competition for top-tier roles in fields like technology, healthcare, and finance.
This could strain the domestic job market, especially if companies are unable to absorb the increased supply of talent, potentially resulting in wage stagnation or even job scarcity for recent graduates in certain fields.
Many NRIs working in the USA send remittances back home, which significantly contribute to India's economy. These remittances support families and local economies, particularly in rural areas.
With fewer opportunities for Indian citizens to migrate and work in the USA, the volume of remittances could decline, leading to potential economic challenges for households dependent on foreign income.
We need to see how Indian system combats this scenario.