“Aao, ab laut chalen”, says Radhika Gupta as H-1B visa anxiety rises. Backs India as the better bet

A renewed wave of anxiety has gripped Indian professionals and students in the US, as proposed changes to the H-1B visa program threaten to reshape the landscape for skilled immigration.

Amid this growing unrest, Edelweiss Mutual Fund MD & CEO Radhika Gupta offered a message of reassurance and perspective. In a post on X, she reflected on her own journey as a graduate in 2005, when H-1B rules were far more favorable, but how she wouldn’t want to turn back, given the opportunities that lie in India.

“India of 2025 is a far more exciting place than India of 2005 ever was. Chin up. Aao, ab laut chalen!”


“Today, we’ve built fulfilling lives here — with tremendous professional opportunities and the deeper joy of creating in our own country. Personally, I wouldn’t want to go back — at all,” she said, urging students currently facing uncertainty in the US to consider the possibilities India now offers.


She began by stating how she was fortunate to graduate in 2005, when H-1B norms were far more favorable in the US. However, things changed quickly in 2008 during the financial crisis — many Indian students felt upset, lost, and stuck.

“Some eventually returned home, and years later, even those of us who still had the visa made the same choice,” she added.

Gupta’s post comes as the Trump administration pushes for a steep $100,000 per year levy on companies hiring H-1B visa holders.

According to Reuters, the policy could severely impact companies that rely heavily on skilled foreign talent — particularly tech firms, which made up a majority of H-1B approvals last year, with India accounting for 71% of the total.

Investor reaction to the update was also immediate and market jitters followed quickly, with shares of Indian tech majors like Infosys and Wipro reacting sharply to news of a proposed $100,000 annual fee per visa under a US immigration overhaul.

Infosys ADRs fell as much as 7.5% intraday before ending 3.14% lower at $16.97, while Wipro’s ADR dropped 3.5% to close at $2.76.

Analysts warn that such fees, if enforced for each of the three years of a visa’s duration, could significantly raise costs for tech firms and force changes in hiring models.

The administration argues the move is aimed at reforming the temporary work visa system and encouraging firms to train American graduates. But many corporate leaders — including Tesla’s Elon Musk — have publicly defended the program, saying it fills vital skill gaps and keeps the U.S. globally competitive.

Still, for young Indian professionals abroad weighing their next steps, Gupta’s message offers a timely reminder: Sometimes the better opportunity lies at home.

Also read: Defence tech companies can join $500 billion club in 5-8 years: Gurmeet Chadha

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)