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Radhika Gupta reflects on H-1B visa changes under Donald Trump, urging Indian students to consider returning home as India now offers greater opportunities.
Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO of Edelweiss MF.
Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, recently shared her reflections on the changing landscape of opportunities for Indian students in the United States. In a heartfelt tweet, Gupta recalled graduating in 2005, when H-1B visa norms were far more favorable for international students.
She noted that the 2008 financial crisis marked a turning point for many Indian students. “Some eventually returned home, and years later, even those of us who still had the visa made the same choice,” Gupta wrote. She highlighted that those who returned have since built fulfilling lives in India, enjoying both professional growth and the personal satisfaction of contributing to their own country.
Gupta’s message comes amid ongoing concerns over H-1B visa policies and the uncertainty faced by Indian students and professionals in the US.
US President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order that fundamentally alters the H-1B visa regime. Starting this year, anyone applying for an H-1B visa must pay a $100,000 fee for their application to be processed.
The administration claims the move will protect American jobs and ensure only the “most skilled” foreign workers enter. But the sharp increase is set to hit Indians the hardest. India accounts for the overwhelming majority of H-1B holders, and the new costs could reshape hiring patterns in both Silicon Valley and Indian IT.
Gupta empathized with students currently on American campuses who may feel “shaken or disheartened” by the challenges abroad. However, she encouraged them to see opportunities back home, noting that India of 2025 offers far more potential than it did two decades ago.
I was fortunate to graduate in 2005, when H-1B norms were far more favorable in the US. But things changed quickly in 2008 during the financial crisis — many Indian students felt upset, lost, and stuck.Some eventually returned home, and years later, even those of us who still…
— Radhika Gupta (@iRadhikaGupta) September 20, 2025
“Chin up. Aao, ab laut chalen!” Gupta urged, signaling a call for students to consider returning to India and exploring its evolving professional landscape.
Trump’s proclamation takes effect from 12:01 am EDT on September 21, 2025 (9:31 am IST), the same day. From that moment, no H-1B worker can enter the US unless the sponsoring employer pays a $100,000 fee. Employers must provide proof of this fee, and the Departments of State and Homeland Security have been directed to reject any petition that does not include it. The restriction will remain in force for 12 months, unless extended.
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
September 20, 2025, 12:59 IST
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