By Rishita Khanna

Copyright thehindu

After recent policy changes announced by the United States (U.S.), including a steep $100,000 annual fee for new H-1B visas, many higher education aspirants in Bengaluru are beginning to rethink their plans.

While the U.S. remains the first choice for most, the new fee hike, along with waiting time for permanent residency, has made their long-term prospects uncertain, compelling students to explore alternatives with places such as Germany, Canada, Finland and Ireland, reporting high demands.

No security

Education consultants across Bengaluru told The Hindu that these places have come up as strong alternatives largely because they offer more certainty and affordability compared to the American system, which, while it remains unmatched in terms of salary, relies on the H-1B visa lottery, leaving graduates with no guarantee of securing work even after completing an expensive degree.

A consultant from upGrad explained that a major factor driving this shift is the pathway to permanent residency (PR). “Canada has a transparent Express Entry system and post-study work permits that make it easier for students and skilled workers to transition into permanent residents within a few years. Germany, too, offers a Blue Card scheme and job-seeker visas, with the possibility of securing PR after four to five years of steady employment. In contrast, the US Green Card process is notoriously slow, with Indian applicants often waiting over a decade due to visa backlogs,” the upGrad consultant added.

“The cost of education is another consideration. American universities often charge between ₹40–₹60 lakh for a master’s programme, not including living expenses, making them unaffordable for many families. Canadian universities are comparatively cheaper, and German public universities charge little to no tuition fees, apart from nominal semester contributions,” a consultant from Yocket Study Abroad said, adding that this makes Europe, particularly Germany, a financially viable option for middle-class families.

Other countries more secured

Speaking to The Hindu, many students mentioned that Canada and Germany, by comparison, have straightforward visa systems without lotteries and that international students in these countries are more assured of post-study work rights, which makes planning a career far less risky.

“Many of my seniors prioritised the U.S. for its salaries and global prestige, but they later warned that immigration insecurity, alongside high living costs, expensive healthcare, often deters applicants who prioritise stability. Our batch was warned by several counsellors that the work opportunities during and after studies differ sharply and hence, I was keeping Germany as a top choice,” Kamal J., a student said.

Germany allows part-time work during studies and offers an 18-month job-seeker visa after graduation. Even in Canada, international students can easily take up part-time jobs and are eligible for post-graduation work permits lasting up to three years. In the U.S., students are restricted to limited on-campus work during their courses, and their post-study work authorisation (OPT) is temporary, he added.

Could lead to layoffs

Shreya Krishna, another student, mentioned that these changes could compound existing challenges in the tech sector. With fewer employees able to move onsite in the U.S., companies could face a loss of revenue from client deployments, which would in turn affect margins and overall profits. To adapt, firms may increasingly turn to automation and AI-driven solutions, a shift that could lead to further layoffs.

On the flip side, this scenario also presents an opportunity for India. By retaining skilled talent within the country, companies can strengthen local research and development and boost initiatives under the Make in India programme. In this context, it becomes more critical than ever for employees to improve, to ensure that they remain valuable contributors in an evolving, tech-driven landscape, industry sources said.

What is H-1B visa?

As per the American Immigration Council, the H-1B is a temporary (non-immigrant) visa category that allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations” that require at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.