Should America kill H-1B visa? Elon Musk answers the big question
The debate around America’s H-1B visa system has sharpened once again, driven by tighter US policies and rising anxiety among skilled workers. Appearing on the latest episode of Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s “People by WTF” podcast, Elon Musk shared his views on talent, immigration and how the system is being used.
This explainer breaks down what Musk said and why the future of H-1B visas remains a burning question for thousands of Indians.
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Why did Musk say America needs talent from abroad?
Musk said that the United States has benefitted greatly from talented Indians over the years. He explained that some Americans believe foreigners take away local jobs, but he questioned how real that perception is.
He said that from his observation there is always a shortage of talented people. He noted that he finds it difficult to find enough skilled individuals to complete complex tasks, so he believes more talented people would be beneficial.
He also said that at his companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, X and XAI, the focus is always on hiring the most talented people in the world.
What did Musk say about misuse of the H-1B visa?
Musk pointed out that there has been some misuse of the H-1B programme. He said some outsourcing companies have taken advantage of the system, and that such practices need to be stopped.
However, he also clarified that he does not support shutting down the visa category. He said that doing so would be very harmful.
Why are more Indians worried about the ‘American dream’?
His comments come at a time when the American dream feels increasingly uncertain for thousands of Indians. For many, the appeal of world-class education, high-paying jobs and better living standards is fading because of unpredictable policies and stricter visa rules.
The H-1B visa has long been a gateway for engineers, scientists and other skilled workers, especially from India and China, to obtain jobs that can eventually lead to permanent residency.
Last year, India accounted for 71 percent of all approved H-1B beneficiaries. China was second at 11.7 percent.
But policy changes have added new pressure. In September, US President Donald Trump said that new H-1B applications would cost 100,000 dollars, compared to the earlier 2,000 to 5,000 dollars that employers typically paid. His supporters had demanded a crackdown on the programme, alleging fraud and claiming that H-1B workers reduce job opportunities for Americans.
Recently, Trump also said that he would welcome skilled immigrants who can train American workers to build complex products such as chips and missiles. He argued that a company cannot open a major chip plant with people who do not know what a chip looks like. He defended the visa system by saying America needs to bring in talent from other countries because it lacks some specialised skills.
The visa is issued for three years and can be renewed for another three. It has helped US tech firms hire millions of skilled workers to fill talent shortages.
What did Musk say about border controls?
Musk also spoke about American border policy. He said that during the Biden administration, border controls were extremely loose and that the situation became a free-for-all with huge levels of illegal immigration. He said that without border controls, a country cannot function properly.
He argued that the lack of controls created a negative selection effect. According to him, when people believe they can enter the United States illegally and receive government benefits, it creates a strong incentive to migrate. He said this incentive structure made no sense and that border controls are essential.
So, should the US shut down the H-1B programme?
Musk’s position is clear: the programme has been misused in places, but it should not be shut down. He believes the United States needs more talented people, not fewer.
For Indian professionals, this means the door is not closed, but the road ahead is far more uncertain than before.
