The H-1B situation in the US is showing the strain it puts on Indian tech industry workers. Figures show over 12,000 H-1B workers returned to India in 2026.
The data is provided by the Indian talent specialists Xpheno. Their data shows the number of H-1B workers returning to India to be sharply up from 2023, when only 7,200 workers returned.
Co-founder Kamal Karanath expects 2026 return numbers to surpass 2025, when over 15,000 workers left the US. This will reverse the flow of the H-1B visa, as more workers will be leaving the US, rather than entering.
This shift comes amidst the Trump administration’s harsh crack down on immigration. Uncertainties around the H-1B visa, along with the $100,000 fee have contributed to forcing workers out of the country.
Returning tech professionals also face a terrible job market in India right now. Employers are now prioritising specialised AI, machine learning, and data skills over experience in the US.
H-1B workers forced to return home also have to settle for a tiny fraction of the salary they received in the States. Xpheno estimates the average pay of H-1B full-stack engineers in the US to be $105,000.
Whereas in India, they receive less than 30% of that. The top 1% engineers in India earn around $20,000 to $32,000.
Overall, as uncertainties around H-1B and other visas grow, the US has lost its position as the most desirable country to work in. Returning to India is also a difficult option, due to lack of jobs and low pay.
