Sohil Walia

The H-1B lottery is officially over. USCIS has finalized a wage-weighted H-1B cap selection system, replacing the random lottery with a model that prioritizes higher-paid and higher-skilled roles. I was in the H-1B lottery myself. I didn’t get selected. And even then, I was never fully convinced that randomness was the right way to allocate something that defines people’s lives and careers. Under the new system, salary level now materially affects your odds: • Lower wage levels see their chances cut nearly in half • Mid-levels remain roughly flat • Senior and highest wage levels see their odds increase dramatically The stated goal is to protect U.S. wages and reduce abuse. That intent is understandable. But the consequence is a two-tier immigration system where economic positioning increasingly determines who gets to stay. For employers, this changes workforce planning, leveling, and sponsorship strategy. For international students and professionals, this means one thing very clearly: Luck matters less. Positioning, skill depth, and long-term strategy matter more than ever. Whether you agree with the change or not, the rules of the game have changed. And pretending otherwise is no longer an option. If you’re impacted by this, now is the time to understand your wage level, your leverage, and your alternatives... not after the registration window opens. #H1B #Immigration #InternationalStudents #Careers #TechCareers #DataScience #USCIS

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H1-B Visas: Can your employer help? 📣 I work closely with job seekers, employees, and leaders in tech. I want to share two examples of creative solutions related to #visa issues in case helpful: 🖊️ Scenario 1: Negotiating a new type of contract The week a leader was ready to welcome his newest hire, HR told him they had to rescind the offer due visa situation changes. The incoming team member had already quit her job, was packed and ready to go, and the leader and team were excited to have her. The leader researched every solution possible to avoid rescinding the offer. He worked with HR + leadership to hire her as a contractor working remotely until they found a permanent solution. The new hire was able to keep her job, even if not as expected initially. ⌛ Scenario 1: Negotiating layoff timeframe An emoloyee's H1-B visa was due to go into effect within 2 months when her employer announced unexpected layoffs as government funding was cut. If she became unemployed before her visa went into effect she would have to leave immediately, but if her visa went into effect she would have a cushion to find a new job. She and her manager negotiated an agreement with leadership to maintain her employment, agreeing to explore furlough, lower pay, a different title or whatever necessary in lieu of a layoff if it came to it. I know this is a systemic problem (and tragedy), one-off solutions are a drop in the water - but wanted to share in case it can help, and if you know of other solutions share with us in the comments🗒️ I don't get political or personal on LinkedIn, but we are not living in normal times. Here's a photo of me at the California State Capital on June 14, 2025 for No Kings Day.

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India could lose $140 billion annually if Trump’s proposed H-1B visa fee goes through. A suggested $100,000 fee on H-1B visas would effectively dismantle the program, which has been a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of high-skilled professionals—especially from India. 1. India is the world’s largest recipient of US remittances, receiving about $140 billion annually. These inflows make up nearly 30% of India’s tax revenues, supporting economic growth and currency stability. 2. About 71% of all H-1B visa holders are Indians. In 2025, ~399,395 H-1B visas were approved, of which nearly 285,000 went to Indians—primarily in the tech sector. This means nearly 300,000 Indian professionals in the US could be directly impacted. 💡 The consequences? A massive hit not just to Indian families and the Indian economy, but also to US companies that rely on top global tech talent to stay competitive. More Indian professionals may start shifting their focus toward Gulf countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where tech ecosystems are rapidly expanding and policies are becoming more talent-friendly. #H1B #USIndia #TechTalent #Immigration #Economy #FutureOfWork #UAE #SaudiArabia

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150+ H-1B professionals have already used our Pivot Playbook 🎉 The #1 question they asked: which US talent visa is the best fit for me as an engineer? We built a 3-minute self-assessment to help answer this. It works for anyone considering a talent visa — showing how your profile fits against O-1A, EB-1A, and NIW criteria, and giving clear next steps. Hope it helps turn uncertainty into clarity. (thanks to voices like Karthik Sundaram, Aditya Goyal, Shreya Mishra Reddy, Konstantina Psoma who keep this conversation alive 🙌) 👉 Link in first comment

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So Trump just changed the H1B visa rules, and everyone's talking about how bad this is for India. I have a very different point of view. Let me break this down in simple terms. The new H1B policy now requires a minimum salary of $100,000 for visa applicants, which is a massive jump from the previous requirements. They've also made the process stricter and reduced the number of visas available. What this means is that thousands of Indian IT professionals who were planning to work in the US will now have to stay back in India, simply because most entry and mid-level positions don't pay that much. With this new rule, only senior developers and specialized roles will qualify, which cuts out a huge chunk of the traditional H1B pipeline. This is going to completely change how students plan their education. Why would someone spend ₹50-80 lakhs on an MS in the US if there's no clear path to stay and work there? The whole appeal of studying abroad was the job prospects afterward. Without that, a lot of students are going to think twice about taking those massive education loans. This means Indian B-schools and premium colleges are about to see a surge in applications like Masters' Union, Mesa School of Business. The talent pool that was getting distributed globally is now going to be concentrated right here in India. This will hit companies like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro pretty hard. Their whole business model relies on sending people to work on-site with US clients, and most of these roles were below the $100K mark. With this new salary floor, their revenue from the US market will definitely take a hit. Those engineering graduates who were dreaming of landing that first job in Silicon Valley have to settle for those ₹15-25 lakh packages. The D2C Rise - All these high-earning professionals who would have packed their bags for America are now staying in India. We're talking about people with serious disposable income, people who shop at premium brands, eat at fancy restaurants, and don't mind spending on quality products and services. You suddenly have thousands of additional consumers with ₹20+ lakh salaries who were supposed to leave the country but are now staying back. These are people with international exposure and refined tastes, exactly the kind of customers that premium Indian brands have been trying to reach. The startup ecosystem is going to benefit massively too. Instead of our best engineers going to code for Google or Microsoft in the US, they're going to stick around and maybe start their own companies or join Indian startups like Urban Company Zomato. This could be the talent injection that takes our startup scene to the next level. I just tried to see this crisis from an opportunity point of view. I would love to get roasted if i was wrong. I would love to hear more logical point to lean But what else do you think will happen?

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I completely agree—Indian talent has shaped Silicon Valley and driven much of America’s tech progress. From CEOs to engineers, their impact is evident in every layer of innovation. Yet the challenges now facing Indian professionals in the US deserve more serious attention. Closing doors or making it harder for global talent helps no one in a competitive world. Let’s hope both countries find ways to support and recognize these vital contributions.

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The recent increase in US H-1B visa fees is a significant shift for Indian tech professionals. For decades, the "American Dream" drove our best talent westward. Now, that path is becoming less accessible. This challenge presents a powerful opportunity. Rather than viewing the fee hike as a roadblock, India should see it as a catalyst to build its own "Asian Silicon Valley." The critical move now is to look closer to home. India can leverage its network by partnering with neighbors like Vietnam, the Philippines. These countries offer young, growing tech workforces. By collaborating, South Asia can create a regional powerhouse that rivals the West. Relying heavily on one market carries risk. This development forces a necessary pivot. We can retain top talent and attract global investment right here in Asia. It is time for India to lead this regional transformation, turning an external setback into our greatest strategic advantage. Let’s build the future of tech here. #H1B #TechIndustry #AsianSiliconValley #IndiaTech #FutureOfWork #GlobalTalent #InnovationHub #SouthAsiaDevelopment #IndiaUSRelations

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🗞 H-1B Visa Updates: New Rules In Effect This Year If your next goal is transitioning from OPT/STEM OPT to an H-1B work visa, here’s what’s changed this year - and what you should plan for: 🔹 FY 2026 Lottery Is Complete If you weren’t selected in the FY 2026 lottery (held in March 2025), the 85,000 H-1B cap for this year is complete. Those who were selected were notified in late March 2025 and, if approved, can begin working under H-1B status starting October 1, 2025. The next lottery (for FY 2027, with employment starting October 1, 2026) is expected to open in March 2026. 🔹 New H-1B Lottery Rules Earlier this year, USCIS introduced a modernized H-1B registration system to reduce duplicate entries and improve fairness in the lottery. Now, each applicant can only be entered once in the lottery, regardless of how many employers want to sponsor them. If selected, only one employer will be allowed to submit the petition. This system is designed to prevent duplicate registrations and improve fairness, having been in place since the March 2024 lottery and continuing for the 2025 and upcoming 2026 cycles. 🔹 Updated Form & Higher Fees A new, more detailed version of Form I-129 (38 pages long) takes effect January 17, 2025. Employers must now provide extensive documentation to prove employer control, wage details, and, especially for third-party placements, active oversight. The H-1B electronic registration fee has increased from $10 to $215 per beneficiary for the 2025 lottery cycle and beyond. The standard I-129 filing fee is now $780, with ACWIA (workforce training) and other fees still applicable. 🔹 Founders Can Now Hold Majority Ownership In an exciting move for international entrepreneurs, USCIS clarified that H-1B holders can now own more than 50% of their sponsoring company, as long as they work in a qualifying specialty occupation. For such petitions, the business must still be able to demonstrate a true employer-employee relationship, meaning there should be some oversight/control that’s not exclusively the beneficiary’s. 🔹 Cap-Gap Extension Gets Extended As of recent regulatory changes, the Cap-Gap extension automatically allows eligible F-1 students to continue working through September 30 and now extends work authorization up to April 1 of the following fiscal year. This significantly reduces the risk of employment interruption, especially if the H-1B petition is still pending review or delayed. #H1B #OPT #STEMOPT #F1Visa #USCIS #CapGap #InternationalStudents #ImmigrationUpdates #StudyAbroad #USA #StudentToWork #USImmigration #H1B2025 #F1toH1B #RoamForStudents #ImmigrationTips

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Interview Waiver Rule Changes Are Coming – Here’s What Founders & Frequent Flyers Need to Know This one shift will affect thousands of B1/B2 and H-1B visa holders from September 2, 2025. Here’s the update from the U.S. Department of State: → B1/B2 visa renewals will continue to allow interview waivers—but only for those whose visas expired more than 12 months ago are now disqualified → The 12-month grace window for visa renewal without an interview will be removed → H-1B and F-1 visa holders will now lose eligibility for interview waivers, regardless of when their visas expired → Interview waivers remain only for certain diplomatic or special visa categories (A-1, G-1, NATO, etc.) To qualify for a waiver under B1/B2 renewal: → Must apply in home country → Must not have prior visa denials (unless waived) → Must have no apparent ineligibility What this means for you: → In-person interviews will once again be mandatory for many repeat travelers → Business travel disruptions and visa delays will increase → Even urgent needs like weddings or conferences won’t qualify for expedited appointments If you're a: → Global founder relying on flexible U.S. access → Team leader managing U.S. operations → Immigrant navigating cross-border business Now’s the time to: → Review your visa expiry timelines → Reschedule or expedite upcoming travel plans → Prepare for interview logistics ahead of time U.S. consular policies are changing fast—and it’s crucial to stay one step ahead. This update supersedes the earlier February 2025 policy, and it directly impacts the predictability and pace of global movement. Source: https://zurl.co/HmadY DM me if you're navigating these changes and need to rethink your visa strategy or remote travel plan. Meet 40+ tech leaders, founders, policymakers, and advocacy. Including Andrew Yeung, Deedy Das, Ajay Bhutoria at the first-ever @Open Atlas Summit 2025—Aug 15, Bay Area. Use code RK10 for 10% off ➞ https://zurl.co/JyvHr 🔔 Follow to stay updated on high-skilled immigration, tech, and business #USVisaPolicy #B1B2VisaUpdate #FoundersAbroad #GlobalMobility #H1BChanges #LeadershipAcrossBorders

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The future of supply chain planning is unfolding, and I recently had the opportunity to see it in action. Ankur Verma, Founder & CEO of TrueGradient, introduced me to their agentic AI platform — a product designed to transform how analysts and data scientists approach demand planning. What stood out immediately: 🔑 Simple single sign-on access for any analyst or data scientist ⚡ Automatic data upload, tagging, and processing ⏱️ Demand planning experiments executed within minutes 📊 Actionable insights delivered through dashboards, scenarios, and recommendations This is more than just automation. It’s a step toward intelligent co-pilots that can radically improve forecasting accuracy, streamline supply chains, and enable faster, data-driven decision making. Sharing a preview from the demo — a glimpse into what the next generation of supply chain technology looks like. #SupplyChain #AI #DemandPlanning #TrueGradient #FutureOfWork

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Meta’s recent layoffs affected 600 employees in its AI division, including an Indian professional on an H-1B visa who was let go just nine months after joining. For many H-1B workers, job loss doesn’t just mean financial uncertainty it triggers a 60-day window to secure new employment or risk losing their right to stay in the country. At Prompt Personnel, we see stories like this as reminders of the vital role HR must play not only in hiring and compliance, but in supporting employees through transitions. HR teams can make a difference by building structured redeployment programs, career transition assistance, and mental well-being support, especially for employees on work visas. #MetaLayoffs #H1BVisa #TechIndustry #AIFuture #GlobalTalent #JobSecurity #TechLayoffs #WorkVisa #CareerTransitions #FutureOfWork #TechNews #LayoffSupport #EmploymentPolicy #BigTech #AIJobs

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H-1B and L-1 visas are the backbone for Indian tech professionals and intra-company transfers to the US. But numbers are slowing, shares are dipping, and the latest 2025 data shows a clear shift. Here’s a crisp, data-driven breakdown of what’s happening. #USVisa #VisaUpdate #H1BVisa #L1Visa #WorkInUSA #IndiansAbroad #IndianProfessionals #TechTalent #GlobalMobility #ImmigrationUpdate #CareerAbroad #USVisa2025 #H1B #L1

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BREAKING: 🇺🇲 Microsoft is laying off 9,000 employees but has already requested 14,181 new H-1B visa workers so far this year - CBS News #Microsoft #layoffs

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The recent decision by the U.S. President to revise H1B visa policies marks a pivotal moment in the landscape of global talent mobility, with significant consequences for Indian professionals. The H1B visa has long been a critical pathway for highly skilled workers, particularly from India, to contribute to the U.S. economy and its technological innovation. However, this policy shift could substantially alter the trajectory for many talented individuals who have relied on this visa to advance their careers in the U.S. While the policy changes are positioned as a measure to protect American workers, the reality is far more complex. Indian professionals, particularly in the tech sector, have been essential to the growth and success of numerous U.S. companies. The new restrictions may limit the ability of these professionals to secure employment in the U.S., potentially slowing the flow of skilled talent into one of the world’s most competitive job markets. For India, a country known for its burgeoning pool of highly skilled professionals in fields like software development, data science, and AI, this decision could encourage a rethinking of career paths. Professionals may increasingly seek opportunities in other countries or opt for remote work, thereby reshaping the global workforce and challenging the U.S.’s longstanding position as the top destination for tech talent. This decision not only impacts the individuals directly involved but also raises broader questions about the future of innovation in the U.S. and the international competitiveness of U.S. companies. As the global talent market becomes more competitive, the ability of the U.S. to attract and retain top talent from India will play a key role in determining its technological leadership in the years ahead.

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$100,000 H1B Fee: What It Means for Indians 🇮🇳 and India’s Tech Future Starting September 21, 2025, every H1B visa renewal or job transfer in the US will incur a staggering $100,000 fee. Since roughly 70% of H1B holders are Indians, this change has a profound impact. 🇺🇸 For Indians in the US: Renewing visas and switching jobs will become nearly impossible. Career growth and family stability face unprecedented risks due to Green Card delays. H4 spouses and children encounter new uncertainties. Financial and emotional stress will rise significantly. 🇮🇳 For India: Remittances, which stood at ₹2.6 lakh crore in 2023-24, may see a substantial drop. Fewer young Indian professionals will get entry-level US jobs. Reverse brain drain could transform tech hubs like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. Offshoring and remote work sectors may experience a strong surge. ✨ The irony: While the US tightens access for Indian talent, India is demonstrating global innovation leadership—from UPI’s success to Chandrayaan’s milestones. 🚀 The opportunity: Indian startups can attract and hire world-class returnees. Companies embracing remote work can tap into global talent without borders. India’s $250 billion IT industry stands to grow stronger with Silicon Valley experience coming home. For many H1B holders, this feels like an end. But for India, it could be the start of a new tech revolution. Visas don’t determine the future of technology; brilliant minds do—by choosing where they build. #H1B #IndiaTech #Innovation #GlobalTalent #TechRevolution #CareerOpportunities

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Sales growth can’t wait for visa clarity. The H-1B noise is real. Costs are going up. Timelines are stretching. Uncertainty is high. But I don’t see this only as an immigration issue. I see it as a sales growth challenge for Indian IT companies. Here’s my honest take. Don’t pause your US sales plans. Waiting will cost more than acting. Build local sales capability. US-based talent reduces dependency and speeds up access. Adopt flexible hiring models. Contract-to-hire and fractional leadership keep you agile. At Leon & Walker, we’re helping tech firms rethink sales hiring with this mindset. I believe the leaders who act now, not wait, will own the next growth cycle. Leon & Walker Talent Partners Anuradha Prasad Prajwal Kashyap #SalesRecruitment #LeadershipHiring #FractionalSearch #TalentStrategy

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