Hyderabad, a major hub for global technology firms, is home to offices of several multinational corporations such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Oracle. The city plays a significant role in India’s IT exports and has been a key location for professionals seeking US work visas like the H-1B. However, this year, local consultancies are observing a sharp decline in applications, reflecting growing concerns among professionals.
Arun Teja Bukkaparapu, who operates a consultancy in Hyderabad, shared that he has yet to receive any inquiries about H-1B filings. He attributed this decline to increasing uncertainty in the US job market and a significant hike in the application fee from USD 10 to USD 215, which has discouraged many potential applicants. Additionally, new regulations limiting individuals to a single application per passport, rather than multiple submissions through different employers, have further reduced demand. Previously, applicants could submit multiple entries to improve their chances of selection.
Rising costs are another concern for IT professionals. K Sai, who has a decade of industry experience, recalled spending over five lakh rupees on the application process last year, only to have his visa rejected. He had planned to reapply this year but is now reconsidering due to the increased fee and consultancy charges, which have reportedly risen by about 50%.
The H-1B visa program is capped at 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 reserved for individuals holding a US master’s degree or higher. While Indian nationals constitute a large portion of H-1B holders, there is no separate quota allocated for them. Last year, approximately 1.5 million applications were submitted, of which six to seven lakh were unique, while the rest were multiple applications from the same individuals.
Mahesh Babu Boyela, who operates companies in Texas, Florida, and Arizona, noted that even US-based companies are now hesitant to file H-1B applications. He explained that previously, firms would sponsor candidates with just two to three years of experience, but this trend has declined. Some individuals last year received H-1B approvals for as little as six months, creating challenges for companies, as the extension process takes four to six months, requiring them to file new applications almost immediately.
Despite the overall decrease in filings, some candidates are still proceeding with applications if they have a client willing to provide the necessary documents. These individuals often begin searching for employment opportunities after arriving in the US.
