US H-1B Shake-up Strands Indians, Forces IT Firms to Rethink Hiring

• US H-1B visa system shifts from lottery to weighted model, prioritizing higher-paid, higher-skilled workers from Feb 27 for FY2027.
• Indian IT firms like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Tech face pressure as 70% of current H-1B visas go to lower-wage workers.
• Many Indian H-1B holders are stranded in India due to visa stamping cancellations and delays, impacting jobs and families in the US.
• Indian IT stocks are under pressure due to increased visa costs and policy tightening, making the US less attractive for skilled professionals.
• Skilled Indians are now exploring alternative destinations like Ireland, UK, Singapore, and EU countries, as global mobility shifts towards quality.

Why It Matters: US H-1B changes disrupt Indian IT and workers, pushing firms to adapt and talent to seek new global opportunities.