Zoho founder and former CEO Sridhar Vembu has offered a poignant piece of advice to Indians working in the US on an H-1B visa: return to India instead of living under the constant shadow of fear. This counsel comes in the wake of recent US policy changes, including a proposed $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications, which has stoked anxieties within the tech industry.
The H-1B visa program allows US companies to sponsor skilled foreign workers, such as those in science, engineering, and computer programming, for three-year terms, extendable up to six years. Annually, the US allocates 85,000 H-1B visas through a lottery system, with Indians making up a significant majority of the recipients.
Vembu, an alumnus of Princeton University, shared his perspective, drawing a parallel with the Sindhi community who, after migrating to India during the partition, rebuilt their lives with resilience. He suggested that the current climate might be a similar turning point for Indians on H-1B visas.
“I am sad to say this, but for Indians on an H1-B visa in America, this may be that time. Come back home. It may take 5 years to rebuild your lives but it will make you stronger,” Vembu posted on X, encouraging a bold move and expressing confidence in their ability to thrive.
His statement has sparked a discussion online, with some users highlighting the challenges of rebuilding in India, while others pondered the need for supportive systems for entrepreneurs without discrimination.