Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed confidence that the latest tightening of the H-1B visa programme in the United States will not obstruct the long-term global demand for Indian technology professionals.
Speaking to PTI, Naidu called the US visa clampdown a “temporary setback”, stressing that the skill level and cost advantage of Indian IT workers will continue to draw global employers. Naidu, known for his role in shaping Hyderabad into a major technology hub, said Indian engineers remain indispensable for advanced digital roles worldwide.
“Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are among the largest contributors of H-1B workers. Cost is very important — Indian techies provide cost-effective and highly skilled services. They are bound to depend on us,” he said confidently.
The remarks come days after US President Donald Trump announced an overhaul of the H-1B visa structure. Under the revised policy, companies filing new petitions will have to pay a supplemental fee of $100,000 (₹83 lakh approx.) from September 21, 2025 — a move expected to raise hiring costs significantly.
Trump initially argued that the changes would prevent misuse of the programme, but later acknowledged that the United States still lacks specialised talent and must rely on Indian professionals for critical roles.
Highlighting concerns for those directly affected, Naidu said:
“Some people will suffer… but we must support them and utilize their capabilities.”
New opportunities in emerging technologies
Naidu affirmed that Andhra Pradesh will assist any displaced professionals by expanding opportunities in India’s fast-growing tech sectors such as:
- 4G and advanced connectivity solutions
- Satellite communication
- Drone technology
- AI and machine learning
- Quantum computing
“We will create opportunities here,” he added.
Meanwhile, several nations including Canada, Australia, the UK and countries in Europe and the Middle East are aggressively opening their doors to tech experts in areas like cybersecurity, AI and cloud computing.
Industry analysts believe that digital transformation across sectors is also prompting global companies to hire talent remotely from India and establish engineering bases within the country — easing the impact of stricter US immigration policies.
Indian professionals, they say, remain highly resilient and well-positioned in the evolving global tech landscape.
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