India Eyes Reverse Brain Drain
US President Donald Trump’s decision to raise H-1B visa fees to $100,000 has triggered fresh efforts in New Delhi to attract highly skilled Indians back home.
A senior bureaucrat close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government was now “actively encouraging” overseas Indians to return and contribute to the country’s growth.
Another member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council told a media conclave that the visa hike reaffirmed how the H-1B system benefits the host country — and that India should see this as an opportunity to reclaim global talent.
A Moment to Reverse the Brain Drain
Policymakers believe the time is right for India to engineer a “reverse brain drain,” encouraging top professionals in technology, medicine, and research to return after decades abroad.
While anecdotal evidence points to growing frustration among Indian immigrants in the US, experts caution that persuading large numbers to swap life in Bellevue for Bengaluru will not be easy.
Returning Home for New Opportunities
One such returnee is Nithin Hassan, who spent two decades in the United States before deciding to move back to India last year.
The former Meta executive left a million-dollar job to start a new entrepreneurial journey in Bengaluru, India’s technology capital.
“I’ve always wanted to start something of my own, but my immigration status in the US limited that freedom,” Mr Hassan told the BBC.
Launching a Platform for Returnees
Since his return, Hassan has launched two start-ups — including B2I (Back to India), a platform designed to help US-based Indians navigate the emotional, financial, and professional challenges of returning home.
He said recent US immigration policy changes had sparked a wave of enquiries from professionals looking to relocate, with Trump’s H-1B fee hike accelerating this interest.
Spike in Interest from NRIs
“Many professionals now accept that a green card may never come,” Hassan said. “Queries to B2I have surged — nearly tripling since Trump’s second term began. In the last six months alone, more than 200 NRIs have reached out to explore return options.”
Recruiters Note a Shift in Sentiment
Recruiters working with Indian talent in US universities have also noticed a change.
“The number of Indian students from Ivy League universities looking to come back after their studies has risen by 30% this season,” said Shivani Desai, CEO of BDO Executive Search.
Desai added that the uncertainty was forcing many senior executives to rethink their future in America.
“While many are still based there, we’re seeing a noticeable uptick in CXO and senior tech leaders exploring India as a serious option,” she noted.
Global Capability Centres Offer Alternatives
India’s booming Global Capability Centres (GCCs) — offshore branches of multinational companies — are providing strong incentives for returning professionals.
These centres have expanded rapidly, offering career stability and competitive pay while allowing professionals to stay connected with global operations.
Asset management firm Franklin Templeton said GCCs have become “increasingly attractive to talent, especially as onsite opportunities decline.”
India’s Structural Challenges Remain
Despite the optimism, India’s long-standing challenges continue to deter many from returning.
Complex regulations, slow bureaucracy, and a difficult business environment have driven thousands of high-earning Indians abroad.
Government data shows that over half a million Indians have renounced their citizenship since 2020, placing India among the top five countries with the highest outflow of millionaires.
Calls for Policy Reform
Hassan believes the government must act on “multiple fronts simultaneously” to make returning home viable for more Indians abroad.
That includes simplifying tax laws, offering targeted incentives like start-up visas, and addressing deeper issues such as poor infrastructure and urban congestion.
Building an Ecosystem for Innovation
Experts also stress that India must build a stronger innovation ecosystem to retain and attract talent.
“It’s about creating an environment where highly educated professionals can thrive,” said economic analyst Sanjaya Baru. “We need to elevate the scale of R&D and higher education — precisely what drew Indians to the US in the first place.”
A Turning Point for India’s Workforce
As the US tightens its immigration rules, policymakers see a chance to reverse decades of talent flight.
If India can combine policy reform with opportunity, experts say, the H-1B fee shock may prove to be the catalyst for one of the biggest return migrations in its modern history.
