With H-1B costs skyrocketing and immigration scrutiny tightening under Donald Trump’s presidency, many Indian professionals are rethinking their traditional pathway to the United States.
Beginning September 2025, new H-1B applications will cost $100,000; making the once-reliable work visa far less accessible for thousands of Indians chasing US opportunities.
Coupled with the administration’s tougher stance on employment-based immigration, these changes are pushing workers toward alternatives that offer greater stability, predictability, and long-term security.
EB-1A & EB2-NIW Interest Surges
According to The Times of India, demand for the EB-1A extraordinary ability category has risen sharply. The visa is particularly attractive to high-achievers in science, business, arts, education, and athletics because it requires no employer sponsorship.
Instead, applicants must prove they meet at least three of ten demanding eligibility criteria.
The EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver) is also drawing attention. It allows qualified individuals to secure permanent residency if their work benefits the United States’ national interests.
A report in The Economic Times, citing Boundless Immigration data, states that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services received 7,338 EB-1A applications in Q1 FY25, a 56% increase from the previous quarter.
Given their dominance in US visa numbers, Indians are expected to account for a substantial share of this surge.
What Exactly Is the EB-1A Visa?
The EB-1A is an employment-based green card reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability in their professional field.
Applicants must demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim and show they intend to continue working in the same domain.
Unlike most visas, EB-1A allows self-petitioning; no employer, no job offer, and no sponsorship required. It is also known for relatively faster processing compared to other employment-based categories.
Why Indians Are Switching
For many, the appeal goes beyond skipping employer sponsorship. With layoffs continuing across tech and other sectors, professionals are looking for immigration pathways that remain secure even if their job situation changes.
A 2023 analysis by the Cato Institute estimated that 53,879 Indian nationals are already waiting in the EB-1A line, followed by a sizeable number of Chinese applicants.
Boundless Immigration CEO Xiao Wang explained the shift: “EB-1A petitions have surged as high-achieving professionals seek control over their immigration status. People are choosing immigration strategies that prioritise stability and long-term planning over short-term fixes,” he said, as quoted by TOI.
As the H-1B becomes costlier and more uncertain, visas like EB-1A and EB2-NIW are fast emerging as the new American Dream route for India’s top talent.
