The recent announcement by United States President Donald Trump to introduce a one-off fee of $100,000 for all new H-1B visa applications has sent ripples of anxiety through Goa’s community of aspiring technology professionals and students. For decades, the H-1B visa has been regarded as a vital pathway for Indian talent seeking to establish successful careers in America’s powerful technology sector.
A Dramatic Shift
The new regulation, which came into force on 21 September 2025, marks a dramatic escalation from the previous visa application costs of around $2,000 to $5,000. For middle-class families in Goa, where the average income is modest, such an exorbitant upfront fee has placed the prospect of working in the United States far beyond reach.
For generations of Goan engineering and computer science students — particularly those at institutions such as Goa Engineering College and Don Bosco College of Engineering — the H-1B visa has represented far more than a work permit. It has symbolised access to global exposure, advanced innovation ecosystems, and the chance to uplift their families economically. That dream now appears increasingly unattainable.
Industry Perspectives
Mangirish Salelkar, President of the Goa Technology Association (GTA), acknowledges that the fee could significantly restrict the flow of skilled Indian tech talent to the US, especially from smaller states like Goa. For large companies, sending staff abroad might just become an additional compliance cost, but for smaller firms and individual aspirants, particularly from emerging hubs like Goa, it could prove a major deterrent.
However, this disruption may ultimately strengthen domestic opportunities. With the National Education Policy coming into play, colleges can realign programs toward globally demanded skills like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science.
The Strategic Pivot
Major US tech companies are pivoting strategically, focusing only on specialized senior roles where high visa costs can be justified. Companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are now focusing on only the most specialized roles, increasingly relying on remote work through Employer of Record solutions and expanding offshore development centers in lower-cost markets. For smaller companies, this effectively prices them out of H-1B hiring entirely.
Alternative Global Destinations
New opportunities are emerging in other regions:
- Germany is leading Europe’s expansion with 90,000 skilled worker visas available to Indians under the EU Blue Card scheme
- Canada continues attracting tech professionals through Express Entry and Global Talent Stream programs with clear permanent residency pathways
- Gulf nations including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar offer tax-free salaries, Golden Visa schemes, and familiar cultural environments
For Goan tech talent, the real question isn’t whether we can compete globally — it’s which market best aligns with our aspirations.
Building Locally, Competing Globally
Rohan Warty, Chairman of the IT Committee at the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), advocates for government and industry action through upskilling programs, fiscal incentives, global capability centers, improved connectivity, innovation clusters, and support for youth and women entrepreneurs.
Goa should focus on niche technology domains leveraging its coastal economy — including tourism technology, hospitality IT, marine analytics, and coastal smart-city systems.
Employers today want practical ability, not just paper qualifications. Colleges should move away from outdated tools and focus on hands-on learning through industry partnerships, hackathons, and international competitions.
A New Definition of Success
While this American policy’s effects deeply impact Goa — in classrooms, homes, and boardrooms — it also presents an unprecedented opportunity: redefining success not as leaving Goa, but as building remarkable ventures right here at home.
Originally published in Business Goa, October 2025.
