Dear reader,
I remember how, a few years ago, a relative who worked in the Indian tech industry was frantically trying to obtain an H-1B visa to work in the US.
He wanted to move to the US from the city of Bengaluru and, after several failed attempts, was jubilant when he finally received the visa.
He has since spent many years in New York working for companies including Bloomberg, Snap and JP Morgan.
He has also applied for a green card and recently purchased a villa in New Jersey.
His journey represents the aspirations of many tech workers, who may now consider alternatives such as the UAE if the US becomes more expensive or restrictive for foreign skilled workers following President Donald Trump's decision to impose a $100,000 application fee for new H-1B worker visa applications.
The rule change has sparked concerns about looming skills shortages in the US, but the UAE and wider region could stand to benefit from an influx of talent.
“If you guys don't like the H-1B visa system of the US, then: 'Habeebi, come to Dubai',” UAE businessman and influencer Hassan Sajwani told his more than 304,000 followers on X.
Arab Gulf states could take advantage of the H-1B visa disruption to attract highly skilled people who contribute to their growing tech and AI sectors.
The Gulf already represents a compelling alternative to the US, with competitive salaries, a rapidly expanding tech ecosystem and far more welcoming immigration policies. Countries could expedite the process of issuing golden visas to talented IT specialists and reduce costs of setting up businesses to attract US start-ups.
Do you expect the UAE to attract talent from the US in the wake of the H-1B visa rule change? Drop us an email at pf@thenationalnews.com
Have a great day!
Gulf region could scoop up top global talent amid US H-1B restrictions
The UAE and other Gulf countries are in a “great position” to take advantage of new US recruitment restrictions by attracting the best up-and-coming talent from across the globe, experts have told The National.
The US has announced new visa barriers for foreign workers at a time when demand for advanced tech talent is surging around the globe.
Some analysts believe the new restrictions to the US H-1B visa programme, announced by the Trump administration on September 19, could drive more top Asian workers and American start-ups towards the Gulf, which has a fast-growing and welcoming ecosystem as well as competitive salaries and more straightforward immigration rules.
In case you missed it …
- My Dubai Salary: ‘I earn up to Dh50,000 a month as a crypto start-up founder'
- Gold soars past record $3,800 amid US government shutdown fears and Fed rate cut hopes
- It's never too late to put your finances in shape
Read more
The National produces a variety of newsletters across an array of subjects. You can sign up here. To receive The Editor's Briefing, our Editor-in-Chief's weekly newsletter – exclusive to registered readers – that rounds up the top stories of the week, sign up here.
