Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has urged Indian professionals in the United States on H-1B visas to consider returning to India, following a significant increase in visa fees announced by US President Donald Trump. According to new regulations, employers must now pay $100,000 for each H-1B visa application, making it more difficult for foreign professionals to stay or be hired in the US.
In a message shared on social media, Vembu compared the current visa situation to the Partition of India. He recalled how many Sindhi families had to leave everything behind during Partition, but managed to rebuild successful lives in India. Using this analogy, Vembu encouraged H-1B visa holders not to fear change. “It may take five years to rebuild your life, but it will make you stronger. Come back home. Make the bold move. You will do well,” he said.
Having returned from the US himself to grow Zoho into a major global software company, Vembu underscored the increasing opportunities now available in India. He mentioned that the domestic technology and start-up sectors are robust and growing, thanks to a booming digital economy, rising capital markets, and the presence of international firms opening research and development centers in India.
The new visa rules are already affecting several Indian professionals working in American tech companies. Some major firms have requested staff to return by September 21, accelerating concerns of a reverse migration. Vembu’s message encourages professionals to see this challenge as a doorway to new possibilities in India’s vibrant economy.
