NEW DELHI: Around 12,700 technology professionals returned from the United States to India between January and September 2026, due to uncertainty surrounding US immigration policies and job insecurity, according to staffing firm Xpheno.
The figure is approaching the record 15,100 professionals who returned during the whole of 2025, raising the possibility that the annual total could reach a new high.
The number of technology professionals returning to India has increased steadily, rising from 7,200 in 2023 to 9,800 in 2024 and 15,100 in 2025. The latest figures suggest that the trend has continued into 2026.
The data covers technology professionals moving between India and the US and is not restricted to H-1B visa holders, which are widely used by skilled foreign workers, particularly Indian technology professionals.
Uncertainty over US immigration rules, changes to the H-1B visa programme and widespread redundancies across major American technology companies have forced some professionals to return home.
Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno, said the number of professionals returning to India in 2026 was on course to exceed the previous year’s total. He added that recent changes affecting H-1B visas could accelerate the trend further.
Indian job market presents fresh challenges
Returning to India does not necessarily guarantee suitable employment. Recruiters say the domestic hiring environment remains challenging, particularly for professionals accustomed to American salaries and working conditions.
Karanth said India’s technology sector had struggled to maintain consistent recruitment momentum since the hiring boom of 2021.
Salary differences complicate return
Pay remains another significant consideration. Salaries in India can be considerably lower than those offered for comparable positions in the US, forcing some returning professionals to adjust their financial expectations.
With three months remaining in 2026 at the end of September, Xpheno’s figures suggest that returns from the US could surpass last year’s record.
