Trump’s H-1B visa fee hike impact: Germany, UK, Canada roll out red carpet for India’s tech talent; pitch ‘predictable’ rules
US President Donald Trump’s steep H-1B visa fee hike to $100,000 has left Indian techies shocked, but countries like Germany, UK and Canada are capitalizing on the opportunity to pitch their countries as alternative destinations for India’s talent.Germany, Canada and the UK are emerging as viable destinations for India’s technology professionals, as the US continues to restrict its skilled immigration policies.
The increased fees for new H-1B visas in the United States are showing consequences, leading organisations to explore alternative visa categories.According to Vijay Thirulamai, an expert in global mobility and wealth technology, his organisation has submitted 12 EB5 investment-based applications and nine O1 visa requests for individuals with exceptional abilities within the past five days.Also Read | $100,000 visa fee: Blessing in disguise for laid off H-1B tech workers? ‘Highly attractive & cost efficient option’Thirumalai reported on X that seven families previously considering EB1A initiated their EB5 applications, whilst seven business founders indicated interest in pursuing the Canadian Startup Visa programme.
H-1B visa holders: Germany, UK, Canada look for talent
On Wednesday, Germany’s ambassador to India and Bhutan, Philipp Ackermann, extended an invitation to Indians through a video message, highlighting his country’s stable migration system. He stated: “It’s reliable, it is modern, it is predictable.”Emphasising Germany’s consistent approach, Ackermann noted that their regulations remain stable, stating: “Highly skilled Indians are welcome in Germany.”According to an ET report, a Canadian policy organisation, ‘Build Canada’, suggests that attracting 120,000 US H1B professionals with earnings of C$200,000 or above could generate $30 billion in economic activity, representing a 1% GDP increase.In a document released Monday, the forum proposed that Canadian authorities implement a dedicated work permit for current and potential US H1B visa holders, enabling them to reside in Canada whilst maintaining US employment. “Requirements would include a minimum US$140K (C$200,000) salary and a three-year employment commitment,” according to the proposal.Also Read | Alternatives to H-1B visas: After fee hike by Trump to $100,000, O1 & L1 visas gain traction; check cost, approval ratesThe official recommended the Home Office expand their Global Talent Fund to support engineering and founding professionals affected by US policies, whilst streamlining processing for H-1B holders seeking relocation.The organisation requested the government to broaden the “Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) scheme to ensure that incoming talent can be compensated with the very best equity packages available”.Dom Hallas, who leads the UK’s Startup Coalition policy organisation, addressed home secretary Shabana Mahmood through an open letter, discussing potential advantages for the UK arising from the H-1B situation.Additionally, China revealed on Sunday a K-visa initiative targeting international STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionals. The scheme commences October 1, with potential accessibility for Indians.“Countries like Germany and Canada are actively capitalising on this situation, rolling out welcoming immigration policies to attract these highly sought-after professionals,” noted Rohit Jain, managing partner at law firm Singhania & Co according to the ET report.“This trend could see a significant shift of Indian engineering talent to these more receptive countries. In response, it’s imperative for India to introduce compelling incentives, such as research grants and support for startups,” Jain continued.Also Read | Trump’s H-1B visa fee hike to backfire? Wall Street banks set to rely more on Indian GCCs; may deepen presence in IndiaBusiness founders and investment professionals are actively recruiting skilled workers in significant technology markets.The founder of AI startup Cleo in London, Barney Hussey-Yeo, announced the availability of 100 positions offering complete visa sponsorship and relocation assistance. “If that’s you, we want to help. Sometimes the best opportunities come from unexpected changes,” he stated on LinkedIn.Nicolas Sharp, who established the CRM software company Attio, highlighted London’s prominence in technology, specifically mentioning AI ventures such as Synthesia, Eleven Labs and Granola. These organisations advertised positions with UK visa support.Similarly, international money transfer service Wise and Neo Financial, a Canadian digital bank, extended comparable employment offers.
