US President Donald Trump’s decision to raise H-1B visa fees to $100,000 has sparked anger abroad but optimism in India, where officials see a chance to reverse the brain drain.
Tech expert Nithin Hassan, who quit a $1 million Meta job to launch start-ups in Bengaluru, says interest in returning to India has tripled since Trump’s second term began. His platform B2I (Back to India) helps non-resident Indians manage the move.
Recruiters report a similar shift: more Indian students and executives are exploring opportunities at home, supported by the rapid growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) offering global roles from India.
Analysts say the visa hike could unintentionally make India a magnet for top tech talent, boosting its innovation and start-up ecosystem.
Indian policymakers now see the move as an opportunity to spark a “reverse brain drain”, encouraging thousands of professionals in technology, medicine, and research to leave the US and contribute to India’s growing innovation ecosystem. A senior bureaucrat close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed that the government is actively working to attract global Indian talent back home through incentives and new start-up support programs.
Among those leading this movement is Nithin Hassan, a former Meta executive who left a $1 million job in the US to launch two start-ups in Bengaluru, including B2I (Back to India) — a platform helping non-resident Indians manage the emotional, financial, and professional aspects of relocation.
“Since Trump’s second term began, queries to B2I have nearly tripled,” Hassan told the BBC. “Many professionals now realize a green card may never come.” In just six months, more than 200 non-resident Indians have contacted his company to explore return options.
Recruitment agencies are seeing a similar trend. Shivani Desai, CEO of BDO Executive Search, said interest among Indian students from Ivy League universities in returning home has jumped 30% this year. “Even senior Indian executives in the US are reconsidering long-term careers there,” she added.
Experts say the rapid growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) — remote offices of multinational firms operating out of India — is making relocation even more attractive. These centres offer competitive pay, global exposure, and the chance to stay connected to major tech ecosystems while living in India.
While a full-scale migration remains uncertain, industry watchers agree that Trump’s visa policy could shift the balance of global talent, making India a stronger hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
