Opportunities in the US for Indian Students

For many years, the United States has represented a chance for Indian families who are ready to make significant sacrifices for a brighter future for their children. Parents have pushed their finances to the limit — selling properties, acquiring heavy loans, and risking entire livelihoods in hopes of achieving top-notch education, lucrative jobs, and eventually, permanent residency.

Today, that dream appears to be increasingly at risk.

With stricter visa regulations, a sluggish job market in the US, and policy changes under President Donald Trump, numerous Indian students and their families find themselves in a precarious situation — caught between overwhelming debts in India and diminishing prospects abroad.

The human toll of this uncertainty became alarmingly clear in a social media post by Aditya, an entrepreneur from Visakhapatnam, who shared the struggles faced by a close friend who sent both of his sons to the United States although financial resources were limited.

A close friend of Aditya sent both of his children to the US despite the lack of financial means. By the time their education concluded, he had accumulated a loan of ₹1.5 crore. Both sons obtained their master’s degrees – one finished two years ago and the other this year. Neither was selected in the H-1B lottery for two years. Previously, he would…

— Aditya (@vizagobelix) January 17, 2026

The post indicated that the father incurred education loans amounting to ₹1.5 crore to support his sons’ master’s studies. As the years went by without stable job offers or H-1B visa approvals, the financial burdens worsened. Monthly remittances intended to supplement part-time earnings escalated from ₹1 lakh per child to ₹2 lakh each following changes under Trump, which forced the students to leave their campus jobs.

By this time, the loan had surpassed ₹2 crore.

With his business faltering back in India, the father considered selling his flat just to make ends meet. Help arrived, although delayed, when the elder son was eventually chosen in the latest H-1B lottery and landed a full-time role. The salary, noted Aditya, was modest but sufficient for the family to find some relief.

It is a dire situation, Aditya indicated, noting that tens of thousands of Indian students and parents are currently confronting similar hardships, with more joining the ranks each year.

Narrowing Path from Campus to Career

Historically, the H-1B visa acted as a predictable link between US education and employment — particularly for Indian graduates, who often excel in STEM fields and visa lotteries. However, this pathway has significantly diminished.

After President Trump’s inauguration in 2025, increased scrutiny, lower approval rates, and a scarcity of entry-level tech positions have drastically reduced the odds. Even exceptionally qualified graduates now face multiple lottery rejections, compelling families to provide ongoing financial support or contemplate returning home with substantial debt.

The emotional impact is staggering. Aditya’s post illustrates how parents frequently protect their children from financial pressures, assuring them not to worry while debts pile up and assets are at risk. Concurrently, students bear the burden, managing tenuous immigration status alongside the understanding that their families’ futures hinge on their achievements.

Widening Pattern of Distress

This narrative resonates across various online forums and news articles. On platforms like Reddit, Indian students have shared experiences of taking out ₹30-40 lakh in education loans, experiencing declining family health, and struggling to meet repayment terms due to extended unemployment.

What was once perceived as an investment in global opportunities is increasingly being viewed as a high-stakes gamble — one that carries repercussions beyond the individual student.

Aditya’s post concludes not with blame but with a call for understanding.

It is easy to judge from a distance, he expressed, encouraging others to provide assistance or at least emotional support rather than criticism. He also cautioned families considering unaffordable loans to send their children abroad this year: think carefully before proceeding.