Indian Youth on dependent visas face uncertain future in the US

Thousands of Indian-origin youth in the US, who migrated as minors under H-4 dependent visas, are facing an uncertain future as they approach 21. Under current US immigration laws, they must transition to another visa category, as they no longer qualify as dependents of their H-1B visa-holder parents.

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The backlog in the US employment-based green card system has left many without a clear path to permanent residency, forcing some to consider immigration to Canada or the UK, where policies are more flexible. As of March 2023, nearly 1.34 lakh Indian children were expected to age out before their families secured green cards, with waiting periods extending from 12 to 100 years.

The situation has worsened after a Texas court blocked new applications for work permits under DACA, a program that previously offered temporary protection to undocumented youth, including those ageing out of dependent visas.

Meanwhile, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the registration period for H-1B visas for fiscal year 2026, running from March 7 to March 24. The annual cap remains at 65,000 visas, with an additional 20,000 for applicants holding US master’s degrees.

The H-1B program has drawn criticism from Senator Bernie Sanders, who argues it benefits corporations by enabling them to hire lower-paid foreign workers. He has proposed doubling H-1B visa fees and mandating higher wages for H-1B employees to protect American jobs.