The number of H-1B visa applications from Hyderabad has witnessed a steep decline this year, according to local agents and consultancies. The decrease in interest is attributed to increased application fees and stricter filing regulations imposed by the U.S. government. Hyderabad, a key center for global technology firms, is home to several multinational companies such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Oracle. The city has played a crucial role in India’s IT exports and has historically been a major source of professionals applying for U.S. work visas, particularly the H-1B. However, this year, local consultancies have observed a sharp drop in applications, reflecting mounting concerns among professionals.
Arun Teja Bukkaparapu, who runs a consultancy in Hyderabad, shared his experience with TOI’s Nirupa Vatyam, stating, “I have not even received a single call about H-1B filing until now.” He explained that growing uncertainty regarding job prospects in the U.S., coupled with a significant fee hike from USD 10 to USD 215, has deterred many potential applicants. Additionally, he pointed out that new rules preventing multiple applications under different employers have further reduced interest. “The fact that the new rule prevents people from filing multiple applications and mandates only one application against one passport has also led to less demand,” he noted. Previously, individuals could submit multiple applications through various employers, thereby increasing their chances of selection.
Some IT professionals have expressed that the rising costs are another significant concern. K Sai, an IT professional with around ten years of experience, explained, “Last year, I spent over 5 lakh on the entire application process, but my visa was rejected in the end. This year too, I wanted to apply, but now I am worried about the enhanced fee. Further, consultancies also hiked their fee by about 50%.”
The H-1B visa program has an annual cap of 65,000 visas, with an additional 20,000 reserved for individuals holding a U.S. master’s degree or higher. While Indian nationals represent a large proportion of H-1B visa holders, there is no specific quota allocated for India. According to agents, around 1.5 million applications were submitted last year, of which 600,000 to 700,000 were unique filings, while the remaining were from individuals submitting multiple applications.
Mahesh Babu Boyela, who operates companies in Texas, Florida, and Arizona, highlighted that even U.S.-based companies are reluctant to file H-1B applications this year. “Earlier, they used to file applications even for people with two to three years of experience. Now, not many are coming forward. Last year, people got H-1B even for six months,” he said. Boyela also pointed out, “This has become an issue as companies have to immediately start a new application soon after an H-1B was sanctioned, as the process of getting an extension takes about four to six months.”
Consultancies have noted that while the overall number of applications has declined, some candidates are still applying—particularly those who have a client willing to provide the necessary documentation. These applicants often search for job opportunities once they arrive in the U.S.