The recent hike in US H-1B visa fees is doing more than just increase costs for students aspiring to study in America; it is sending a clear signal that the long-held US-centric model of overseas education is under strain. For Indian students taking education loans, this development is redefining risk and prompting a reassessment of repayment expectations.
The policy, by significantly increasing the cost for US employers to hire international graduates, hits midsize companies, smaller enterprises, and startups the hardest—these firms traditionally offer a large share of opportunities to foreign students. Big corporations may still absorb the increased costs, but the overall availability of post-study jobs for international students is expected to shrink.