Tighter U.S. H-1B rules prompt Indian students to reconsider studying and working in the U.S., opting for alternatives like Canada and the UK.

Indian students and families are reevaluating plans to study and work in the U.S. due to tightened H-1B visa rules under President Trump, including a steep fee increase to $100,000 and heightened application scrutiny. Students like Paridhi Upadhaya, who had secured scholarships, are canceling or delaying their U.S. education goals amid growing uncertainty. Many now consider alternatives such as Canada, Australia, and the UK, as the once-reliable pathway to high-skilled jobs and permanent residency appears less attainable. The shift reflects broader anxiety over changing immigration policies and their impact on career prospects for Indian graduates.