For years, the United States has been the destination of choice for India’s top technology talent.
World-class universities. Six-figure salaries. Silicon Valley prestige.
And yet, for a growing number of highly skilled professionals, the American dream is quietly breaking down not because of lack of ability, ambition, or contribution, but because of immigration uncertainty.
The story of Sunjana Ramana, an Indian-origin data and AI engineer who chose to leave the US after repeated failures in the H-1B visa lottery, is not an exception. It is a pattern.
Her decision to relocate to the UK reflects a deeper shift underway in global skilled migration one driven by predictability, dignity, and long-term stability.
H-1B (USA) vs UK Skilled Worker Visa: A Practical Comparison
| Factor | H-1B Visa (USA) | UK Skilled Worker Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Selection Method | Lottery-based (chance-driven) | Points-based (eligibility-driven) |
| Annual Cap | 85,000 total visas | No fixed annual cap |
| Outcome Predictability | Low – merit does not guarantee selection | High – meeting criteria usually leads to approval |
| Employer Dependency | Very high | Moderate |
| Path to Permanent Residency | Uncertain, often long backlogs | Clear timeline (usually 5 years) |
| Family Stability | Dependent on visa renewals & lottery | More predictable and secure |
The Reality of the H-1B visa System
Why the H-1B Is Not a Skills Visa in Practice
On paper, the H-1B visa exists to help US employers hire highly skilled foreign professionals.
In reality, it functions as a lottery system.
Each year:
- 65,000 visas are available under the general cap
- 20,000 visas are reserved for US master’s degree holders
Demand far exceeds supply.
When applications cross the cap as they do every year selection is random, run by US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
This means:
- A highly paid AI engineer and an entry-level role can face the same odds
- Talent, contribution, and performance do not guarantee continuity
- Careers are placed on hold by chance, not choice
For professionals like Sunjana Ramana, this randomness became the breaking point.
Doing Everything Right And Still Losing
Ramana’s journey mirrors thousands of international students:
- Ivy League education
- Six-figure job in tech
- Student debt repaid
- Global speaking credentials
- Product innovation
Yet after three failed H-1B attempts, the system still said no.
This is the core frustration of the H-1B process:
You can comply fully and still have no control over the outcome.
As many immigrants describe it, the visa does not reward merit. It rewards probability.
The Economic Cost of the H-1B Lottery
Criticism of the H-1B system is no longer anecdotal—it is economic.
According to policy experts:
- US employers spend over $1.9 billion annually recruiting candidates who never receive visas
- Businesses hesitate to invest in international talent without certainty
- Skilled professionals delay life decisions—homes, families, innovation
Jeremy Neufeld of the Institute for Progress has publicly noted that the lottery actively discourages employers from targeting the best candidates, because selection is uncertain.
This is not just an immigration issue.
It is a productivity issue.
What’s Changing in the US: Wage-Weighted H-1B Selection (2026)
Should You Consider the UK Over the US?
The UK may be a better option if you:
- Want visa outcomes based on eligibility, not lottery odds
- Need long-term career and family stability
- Plan a clear path to permanent residency
- Work in technology, data, AI, finance, healthcare, or research
The US may still suit you if you:
- Are comfortable with repeated visa uncertainty
- Have employer-sponsored immigration support
- Are willing to navigate long green card backlogs
The US government has acknowledged these problems.
From February 27, 2026, a new wage-weighted selection model will apply to the FY 2027 H-1B cap.
What the New Rule Does
Under the revised system:
- Applications will no longer be selected purely at random
- Higher-paid roles will receive greater selection weight
- Wage levels will align with the Department of Labor’s four-tier system
This marks a philosophical shift—from chance to economic value.
What Does NOT Change
Despite reform:
- The annual visa cap remains unchanged
- Entry-level roles are still allowed
- Labour Condition Application processes stay the same
The system becomes more selective but still capped and competitive.
Why Many Professionals Are Choosing the UK Instead
While the US debates reform, the UK has quietly positioned itself as a predictable alternative.
For professionals like Ramana, the appeal is not higher pay it is certainty.
The UK’s Key Advantage: Predictability
Unlike the H-1B:
- UK work visas are points-based, not lottery-based
- Eligibility is assessed upfront
- If requirements are met, outcomes are largely predictable
This matters enormously to skilled migrants planning long-term lives.
The UK’s Skilled Migration Philosophy
UK immigration policy increasingly focuses on:
- Skills shortages
- Innovation
- Long-term settlement pathways
Routes such as:
- Skilled Worker visa
- Scale-up visa
- Global Talent visa
offer clearer timelines to settlement and fewer random barriers.
For someone leaving a system governed by chance, this structure feels stabilising.
Why This Shift Matters for the Global Talent Market
Expert Planning Advice
Skilled professionals should no longer rely on a single country or visa route. Global mobility planning—understanding multiple immigration systems—has become essential for long-term career security.
The movement of Indian professionals from the US to the UK is not about preference it’s about risk management.
Highly skilled workers are:
- Optimising for certainty
- Seeking jurisdictions that reward contribution
- Avoiding systems where years of effort can collapse overnight
Countries that offer clarity will win the next phase of global talent competition.
Impact on the US and the UK
For the United States
- Loss of trained talent educated in US institutions
- Reduced return on international student pipelines
- Growing perception of unpredictability
For the United Kingdom
- Influx of experienced, globally trained professionals
- Strengthening of London’s tech and AI ecosystem
- Reinforcement of the UK’s post-Brexit talent strategy
The UK is not replacing the US it is absorbing those the US cannot retain.
Planning Ahead: What Skilled Professionals Should Consider
For international professionals currently in the US:
- Do not rely solely on H-1B outcomes
- Understand alternative global pathways early
- Assess long-term settlement options, not just salary
For employers:
- Diversify hiring strategies across jurisdictions
- Factor visa certainty into workforce planning
- Recognise that talent mobility is now strategic, not reactive
The Bigger Lesson: Immigration Systems Shape Careers
Sunjana Ramana’s decision was not a rejection of America.
It was a response to uncertainty.
As she wrote, “This isn’t goodbye forever.”
And that may be the clearest takeaway of all:
talent goes where it can breathe.
Final Thought: The Future of Skilled Migration
Key Takeaways
- The H-1B visa is driven by chance, not skill alone.
- Highly qualified professionals face repeated uncertainty in the US.
- The UK offers a more predictable, points-based work visa system.
- Long-term settlement planning is becoming a priority for global talent.
The next decade of global migration will not be driven by wages alone.
It will be driven by:
- Transparency
- Predictability
- Respect for long-term contribution
In that equation, the UK is gaining ground quietly, structurally, and deliberately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are Indian tech professionals leaving the US despite high salaries?
Many highly skilled professionals are leaving due to visa uncertainty, not pay. The H-1B visa relies on a lottery system, meaning even top talent can lose legal work status despite strong careers and employer support.
2. What is wrong with the H-1B visa system?
The H-1B system is capped and oversubscribed. Selection is largely random, offering no guarantee based on skills, experience, or salary. This creates instability for both workers and employers.
3. Who is Sunjana Ramana and why is her case important?
Sunjana Ramana is an Indian-origin AI and data engineer who left the US after three failed H-1B attempts. Her story reflects a broader trend among skilled professionals who are reassessing their future due to visa unpredictability.
4. Is the US changing the H-1B visa lottery system?
Yes. From February 27, 2026, the US will introduce a wage-weighted selection system, giving higher-paid roles better odds. However, the overall visa cap remains unchanged, and uncertainty will still exist.
5. Why is the UK becoming an attractive alternative?
The UK offers non-lottery, points-based visas with clearer eligibility criteria. Skilled workers can plan their careers and settlement with greater confidence, making the UK appealing for long-term stability.
6. Which UK visas are popular among tech professionals?
Common routes include:
- Skilled Worker visa
- Global Talent visa
- Scale-up visa
These routes focus on skills and contribution rather than chance.
7. Does moving to the UK mean better immigration certainty?
Yes. If eligibility criteria are met, UK visa outcomes are largely predictable. This contrasts with the US system, where approval can depend on lottery selection rather than merit.
8. Are Indian professionals permanently leaving the US?
Not necessarily. Many see the UK as a strategic alternative, not a permanent rejection of the US. The move allows them to continue global careers without prolonged legal uncertainty.
9. How does this shift affect the US tech industry?
The US risks losing globally trained professionals it educated and employed. Employers also face higher recruitment costs and workforce instability due to visa unpredictability.
10. What should international professionals do before deciding to move?
They should:
- Evaluate long-term visa stability
- Compare settlement pathways
- Consider family and career planning
- Seek professional immigration advice before making decisions