US Tech Professionals Return to India Amid H-1B Visa Uncertainty, Facing Salary Cuts
Thousands of Indian tech professionals are returning from the United States, driven by visa uncertainties and a challenging job market. Despite the influx, the Indian job market does not offer comparable salaries to what these returnees earned abroad. Between January and September 2026, approximately 12,700 technology workers moved back to India, nearing the record of 15,100 returnees in 2025, according to data from staffing firm Xpheno.
Trends in Return Migration
The trend of Indian techies returning from the US has been on the rise over the past few years. Xpheno’s data indicates that 7,200 professionals returned in 2023, increasing to 9,800 in 2024, and reaching last year’s peak in 2025. These figures reflect white-collar technology workers moving in both directions between India and the US, not limited to those on H-1B visas. While the number of returnees is increasing, nearly 14,500 individuals moved from India to the US by September this year.
Kamal Karanth, cofounder of Xpheno, noted that the number of returnees is on track to exceed the total from 2025, potentially narrowing the gap between inbound and outbound talent flows. The recent changes to H-1B visa regulations may further accelerate this trend, possibly resulting in more professionals returning to India than those leaving for the US. Experts attribute this shift to uncertainties surrounding US immigration policies and rising layoffs in the American tech sector.
Challenges in the Indian Job Market
Despite their experience, returning professionals face significant challenges in securing suitable employment in India. Karanth stated that the current hiring landscape is particularly tough for those coming back from the US. The Indian tech sector has struggled to maintain consistent hiring momentum since the recruitment surge in 2021, with demand fluctuating significantly.
Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital, highlighted that Indian companies are becoming more selective in their hiring processes. Employers are prioritizing specialized skills and relevant work experience over overseas experience. The highest demand is for professionals skilled in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data leadership, along with expertise in cloud computing and cybersecurity.
Compensation remains a critical issue for returnees. Many professionals may find themselves earning only 25% to 33% of their previous salaries in the US. Xpheno reports that the average annual salary for a full-stack engineer on an H-1B visa in the US is around $105,000, while comparable roles in India offer between $20,000 and $32,000 annually for top talent. Indian employers are largely adhering to domestic salary structures, forcing returnees to adjust their salary expectations to secure jobs.
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