How India’s 90s Tech Craze Boosted America’s H-1B Visa Program

Indian nationals now receive over 70% of all H-1B visas issued annually by the United States. This visa, designed for high-skilled foreign professionals in specialized fields, has become a key route for Indian engineers to pursue careers in the US tech industry.

This trend began developing in the 1990s, when Indian students started choosing engineering as a primary career due to limited local opportunities, societal preference, and economic liberalization. Entry into top engineering institutions like the IITs became a launchpad for global careers. At the same time, the H-1B visa was introduced in the US in 1990 to fill a tech talent gap.

India’s large pool of English-speaking engineers, trained in areas like computer science and IT, fit the US industry’s needs. Indian IT firms such as Infosys, TCS, and Wipro sent employees to the US under H-1B, while top US firms increasingly recruited Indian tech workers.

Each year 85,000 new H-1B visas are distributed through a lottery system. Indian nationals comprised 72.3% of recipients from 2022–2023. Additionally, many Indian students enter through master’s programs and work in the US under Optional Practical Training (OPT) before transitioning to H-1B status.

Indian talent has advanced within the US, with Indian-origin CEOs now leading major firms such as Google and Microsoft. However, increasing concerns about fairness in the H-1B program—including the issue of multiple applications for one candidate—have led to proposed reforms. These include a beneficiary-based lottery, higher wage requirements, and tighter rules for outsourcing firms, aiming to make the system more equitable and focused on genuine high-skilled roles.

Changes to the H-1B visa process may significantly impact how companies hire and sponsor foreign talent in the future.

H-1B visa, Indian engineers, US tech industry, OPT program, visa reform