The Trump administration is getting ready to make major changes to the U.S. H-1B visa and green card system, which could have a profound effect on Indian professionals. Indian citizens make up the largest group of H-1B workers in America, with over 70 per cent of these visas going to them.

The Current H-1B System

Currently, the H-1B programme allows U.S. companies to hire highly skilled workers from abroad, with most of these visas allocated through a lottery or “ballot” system. Thousands of Indian engineers, IT specialists, and researchers benefit from this system every year, using it as a gateway to career growth and permanent residency in the U.S.

Proposed Changes and the “Gold Card” Initiative

U.S. President Trump’s team now wants to move away from the random ballot system. The new plan is to create a system that favours people with higher salaries and more specialised skills. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has explained that the administration is working on a new “Gold Card” initiative, which would replace the existing green card system. This new system would focus on picking “the best people first” rather than randomly giving out visas. Lutnick has called the current H-1B programme “a scam,” arguing that American jobs should go to U.S. citizens before foreign workers.

Potential Impact on Indian Workers

If this plan goes ahead, H-1B visas will no longer be based on chance but will be awarded to the highest earners. While Indian workers with top skills and high-paying job offers may still be able to secure visas, younger professionals, fresh graduates, or those with lower salaries will likely find the path to the U.S. much more difficult. This would make the competition for visas even tougher for many skilled Indians who have long relied on the H-1B programme for career opportunities in the U.S.

Consequences for American Companies

Experts warn that these proposed changes could have a negative impact on American companies. Many U.S. firms, particularly in the technology and IT sectors, are heavily reliant on Indian talent. Restricting the availability of visas could lead these companies to hire remotely from India or outsource more jobs abroad. In the long run, this could harm U.S. innovation rather than help it. The U.S. Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has already approved a draft rule for the new system, signalling the administration’s clear direction toward a stricter, wage-based immigration policy.

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