With the growing influence of Indian-Americans in U.S. politics, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
This historic appointment is expected to shape U.S. immigration reforms and drive advancements in technology policy. Krishnan’s potential role in addressing the proposed elimination of the country cap on H-1B visas is of particular interest, a change that could significantly impact skilled workers from India.
Understanding the H-1B Visa and Its Limitations
The H-1B visa program enables U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialized fields such as technology and engineering. While the program is vital for maintaining a competitive workforce, it operates under restrictive conditions.
A per-country cap limits the number of H-1B visas awarded to applicants from any nation to 7% of the total allocation. This cap disproportionately challenges Indian professionals, representing a substantial share of the global tech talent pool.
Each year, only 65,000 H-1B visas are available to workers with bachelor’s degrees and 20,000 for those with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions. Despite the absence of nationality-based restrictions for H-1B visas, Indian professionals receive the majority—72% in fiscal year 2023—owing to their dominance in technology fields.
However, the high demand results in significant delays, sometimes spanning decades, for Indian applicants transitioning to permanent residency. By contrast, applicants from countries with lower demand face minimal waiting times, exacerbating inequities in the system.
Implications of Removing the Per-Country Cap
The U.S. government is considering eliminating the per-country cap on H-1B visas. This reform would allocate visas based on merit rather than nationality, potentially accelerating processing times for highly skilled professionals.
For Indian workers, this change could alleviate employment insecurity and expedite pathways to permanent residency.
The technology sector stands to benefit significantly from this reform. With a steady influx of elite talent, especially in advanced fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning, the U.S. could bolster its global competitiveness.
Furthermore, the reform aligns with efforts to strengthen U.S.-India collaboration, recognizing India’s growing role as a global talent hub.
Recent H-1B visa updates for 2025 indicate that the proposed changes could provide considerable advantages to Indian professionals, particularly in the tech sector.
These changes have been widely discussed in travel news and policy updates, reflecting their potential to redefine the U.S. visa policy for Indians and bolster bilateral relations.
However, critics caution that reforms must balance attracting foreign talent and safeguarding domestic jobs. Concerns about potential misuse of the H-1B system and heightened competition in the U.S. labor market remain unresolved.
Advocates argue that a merit-based system ensures fairness while addressing the country’s demand for top-tier professionals in critical industries.
Sriram Krishnan’s Role in Shaping Immigration Policy
Krishnan has long championed merit-based immigration policies that prioritize highly skilled workers and streamline the green card process. His appointment signals a potential shift in U.S. policy toward reducing H-1B visa backlogs and enhancing the country’s ability to attract global talent.
By addressing these systemic challenges, Krishnan’s expertise could help shape a more equitable and efficient immigration framework.
The proposed U.S. H-1B visa changes could also benefit India by strengthening U.S.-India ties and fostering innovation and economic growth in both nations.
For Indian professionals, removing the H-1B visa country cap represents a long-awaited opportunity to compete on merit and secure faster access to career growth in the U.S.
While challenges remain, Krishnan’s appointment reflects a promising step toward aligning U.S. immigration policies with the demands of a globalized workforce.
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