🔗 Share this article The nation Wants to Entice its Best Minds Back from the US – However Challenges Abound A restrictive immigration environment is prompting some overseas Indians to consider returning home Latest immigration reforms in the United States, such as a significant increase in H-1B visa fees, have motivated Indian policymakers to woo talented expatriates to return and contribute to nation-building. A senior advisor close to the government mentioned that the administration is focused on repatriating NRIs. Meanwhile, another economic advisor noted that American immigration policies have consistently served the America, and the new fee increase could actually benefit India in attracting skilled workers. The central idea is that now is the time for India to orchestrate a talent repatriation and bring back highly skilled experts in IT, research, and various advanced industries who left the nation over the past several years. Some reports suggest that a more restrictive visa environment in the US is prompting a few Indians to evaluate moving back. However, specialists note that motivating many individuals to leave American hubs for Bengaluru will be easier said than done. One professional gave up a $1 million role at Meta in the US to return to Bengaluru A former expatriate is part of the handful of expatriates who, after two decades in the United States, decided to return and relocated to Bengaluru last year. The move involved risk. He abandoned a high-paying role at Meta to explore the risky sector of new ventures. "I frequently desired to establish something of my own, but my visa situation in the America restricted that possibility," he explained. After his return, he has launched a couple of start-ups, including a service named Return to India that helps fellow expatriates living in the America "manage the psychological, financial, and work-related challenges of coming back." He revealed that recent adjustments in United States entry regulations have resulted in a sharp surge in requests from professionals interested in move, and the visa controversy could hasten this trend. "Many workers now realize that a green card may never come, and inquiries to the platform have surged – almost tripling since policy updates began. In only the recent period, more than 200 non-resident Indians have contacted us to explore return options," he commented. Additional talent scouts who specialize in students from American colleges support this change in sentiment. "The count of learners from prestigious colleges looking to return to India after their studies has increased by 30% recently," a recruitment CEO stated. She added that the uncertainty is also causing top leaders "think harder their long-term careers in the US." "Even though many are still anchored there, we notice a significant rise in senior and top professionals evaluating India as a viable choice," she remarked. The change in attitudes could also be aided by a huge expansion in Global Capability Centres – which are offshore operations of global firms in India – that have provided viable career options for professionals coming back. Such remote centers could become alternatives for those from the software field when the US restricts entry, making GCCs "increasingly attractive to talent, notably as US-based roles decrease," based on an asset manager. Destinations such as Europe have recruited skilled professionals following new American visa reforms But achieving talent return significantly will need a focused and dedicated campaign by the government, and this is lacking, explains a previous consultant to a former PM and expert on talent exodus. "Leaders will have to go out and actually pinpoint individuals – featuring leading scientists, workers, and business owners – it wants back. That demands resources, and it should come straight from the top," he emphasized. He noted that this method was adopted by a former leader in the earlier days to bring back brilliant individuals in sectors like aerospace and atomic energy and establish centers like the premier Indian Institute of Science. "They were inspired by a deep sense of purpose. Where is the reason to relocate now?" he questioned. Instead, there are both pull and push reasons that have resulted in educated workers continuously exiting the homeland, he explained, and India has applauded this trend, rather than arresting it. Attractions abroad involve a increasing number of destinations granting golden visas and citizenship or residency through immigration programmes. Indeed, while the America restricted its H-1B visa regime, locations {such as