The Hindu: Published on 29 September 2025.
Why in News?
Growing concerns about job insecurity and immigration challenges for Indians working overseas, especially in the U.S. due to recent H-1B visa uncertainties.
A shift in perception: working abroad, once considered aspirational, now comes with rising anxieties, exploitation risks, and stagnant pay growth.
Increasing trend of reverse migration—large numbers of highly skilled Indians returning to India, where domestic opportunities in Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and MNC subsidiaries are growing.
Background:
For decades, overseas jobs, particularly in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, have been seen as prestigious due to higher salaries, infrastructure, and lifestyle quality.
India has the world’s largest diaspora (35 million+) which remits $135 billion annually, fueling India’s foreign reserves.
However, workers abroad often face:
Visa dependency on employers.
Lack of social security protections.
Anti-immigrant sentiments in host countries.
Greater workplace stress compared to Europe.
Key Issues:
Job Insecurity Abroad
U.S. workers (52%) report higher workplace stress than Europeans (36%), reflecting fear-driven job culture.
H-1B visa dependency increases anxiety for Indian professionals.
Sudden layoffs leave employees vulnerable due to weak protection for immigrants.
Illusion of Overseas Glamour:
Social media and annual visits of NRIs showcase only the “good life.”
The hidden anxieties and cultural alienation remain unspoken.
Indians abroad often socialize only within Indian communities, creating “mini Indias” instead of full integration.
Brain Drain vs. Brain Gain:
Around one-third of IIT graduates migrate abroad every year, with higher rates among top-ranking students.
New H-1B visa fee hikes ($100,000 one-time) may slow down migration.
Simultaneously, 3.59 lakh white-collar professionals have returned to India in the past year, including 88,000 from the U.S.
India’s Growing Opportunities:
GCCs (Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, etc.) have added 63,000 employees in India in the last three years.
Collectively, GCCs created 3.2 lakh jobs in India over the same period, with 30,000 open roles currently.
Salaries in India are rising while U.S. dollar earnings stagnate due to inflation and high living costs.
Economic Impact of Visa Uncertainty:
The H1B turmoil cost Indian IT giants (TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL, Tech Mahindra) a $36.2 billion market cap loss in just four days (Sept 2025).
Impact:
On Indian Diaspora: Heightened uncertainty, reduced job security, and rising costs of migration may push more professionals to return to India.
On Indian Economy: Reverse migration brings experienced global talent back home, strengthening domestic industries, especially IT and tech startups.
On Global Perception: The once unquestioned allure of “foreign jobs” is being re-examined, with work-life balance and social belonging gaining importance.
On Policy: New U.S. visa fee structures and anti-immigration sentiments may force India to strengthen domestic job ecosystems further.
Way Forward:
For India:
Invest more in skill development and advanced R&D to absorb returning talent.
Expand GCC ecosystems and encourage domestic innovation.
Provide stronger infrastructure and social security to make local jobs more attractive.
For Professionals:
Weigh the realities of job security, mental health, and integration abroad versus opportunities in India.
Avoid over-relying on the “foreign brand value” and assess long-term career sustainability.
For Policymakers Abroad:
Ensure fair labor protections for immigrant workers.
Balance immigration policies with economic needs to avoid talent shortages.
Conclusion: Overseas jobs still hold allure, but the “rosy picture” is fading. With India’s rising opportunities and the fragility of visa-dependent employment abroad, the question is shifting from “Should I go abroad?” to “Should I return home?”
