Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.The dream of moving to the United States for work and study is becoming harder for Indians. It is not just about the shortage of H-1B work visas, but also about the sharp decline in other visa categories such as H4 for families, F1 for students, L1 for company transfers, and L2 for dependents. A report by Money control shows that in the past three years, India has suffered the steepest fall in these visa categories, while countries like China, Nepal, and Vietnam have seen major gains.
Sharp fall in H4 family visas
H4 visas, meant for dependents of H-1B visa holders, have seen a steep decline for Indians. Until May this year, only 46,982 H4 visas were issued to Indians compared to 71,130 in the same period of 2023. This reflects a drop of nearly 34 percent. Meanwhile, Mexico has doubled its H4 visa approvals. Countries such as Ghana, South Africa, and the Philippines have also recorded significant rises. China too has registered a growth of 10.7 percent in this category.
Worrying decline in F1 student visas
The situation is even more alarming when it comes to student visas. In 2023, India received around 17,800 F1 visas. This year, the number has dropped sharply to just 11,484, marking a decline of nearly 35 percent. In contrast, China saw an increase of about 10 percent in F1 visas. Vietnam witnessed a growth of more than 40 percent, while Nepal recorded an unprecedented surge of over 260 percent. African countries like Zimbabwe and Kenya also reported triple-digit growth in student visas.
Setback in L1 company transfer visas
Indians have also suffered a major setback in company-related transfers. The L1 visa, which allows professionals to move within their company branches, has dropped by about 28 percent for India. Along with this, the L2 visa, which is granted to dependents of L1 visa holders, also declined by nearly 38 percent. On the other hand, China saw a surge of 64 percent in L1 visas and 43 percent in L2 visas. Countries such as Israel, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brazil too gained considerably in these categories.
India lags behind in South Asia region
Compared to other South Asian countries, India has faced the steepest losses in visa approvals. Nepal has seen extraordinary growth, with a 262 percent jump in F1 visas and a 113 percent rise in L2 visas. Bangladesh recorded a 28 percent increase in H4 visas and a 5 percent rise in F1 visas. Pakistan almost doubled its F1 visas and also saw a 40 percent growth in H4 visas. Sri Lanka showed mixed trends, with an increase in H4 visas but a fall in student visas.
H-1B work visas see major reduction
The number of H-1B work visas itself has fallen drastically for Indians in the past two years. According to the report, H-1B visa approvals for India have declined by more than 37 percent. This fall has directly affected not only working professionals but also their families and students aspiring to pursue education in the US. The reduced opportunities have created serious concerns for Indian households planning a future in America.
New fee proposal adds further pressure
Adding to the worries, the US government has introduced a new plan proposing an annual fee of 100,000 dollars for H-1B visa applications. If implemented, this will add a huge financial burden on Indian candidates and reduce their chances of competing fairly with applicants from other countries. The decline in multiple visa categories combined with this proposed policy has made the American dream more uncertain for Indians than ever before.
Summary pointers
- Indian families and students face sharp visa declines in the US
- H4 family visas for Indians down by 34 percent this year
- F1 student visas fall 35 percent, Nepal sees 260 percent rise
- L1 company transfer visas drop 28 percent for India
- L2 dependent visas fall 38 percent, China records strong growth
- South Asian neighbors like Nepal and Pakistan see major gains
- US proposes 100,000 dollar H-1B fee, adding to Indian concerns
