H-1B visas explained: As US marks 250 years, why Indians dominate America’s tech workforce

Summary

As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence on July 4, 2026, one of the country’s biggest modern success stories is increasingly tied to immigration, particularly highly skilled professionals working in technology. It was created under the Immigration Act of 1990 and is administered by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS (U.S. immigration agency)). First, India produces one of the world’s largest pools of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduates. The H-1B work visa is a temporary work visa. US employers can sponsor H-1B workers for employment-based Green Cards, allowing them to become lawful permanent residents. Indian nationals, however, often face some of the longest waiting periods because US immigration law imposes per-country limits on employment-based Green Cards. According to the US Department of State and USCIS, applicants from India in some employment-based categories face waiting periods stretching several years and, in certain cases, decades because of the backlog. To reduce misuse, employers must comply with wage requirements set by the US Department of Labor and meet eligibility criteria established by USCIS. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.