Amid H-1B uncertainty and layoffs, immigration experts say demand for L-1 and O-1 visas has gone up as they do not have ...

Indian professionals and their employers are increasingly exploring alternatives to H-1B visas, such as L-1 and O-1 visas, amid stricter scrutiny of H-1B applications and ongoing tech layoffs in the US, according to immigration experts cited by the Economic Times. Demand for EB-5 immigrant investor visas has also surged, with a 50% increase since January 2025, noted Sukanya Raman, country head - India & GCC practice team at Davies & Associates LLC. “These are in current status for Indian nationals, meaning visas are available, and they can receive authorization and travel documents in 3-6 months,” she told ET, highlighting their appeal for Indian families on H-1B visas whose children are nearing 21 and at risk of aging out.USCIS data shows a 27% year-on-year drop in shortlisted H-1B visa applications this year, the lowest since FY21, with the US approving 85,000 H-1B visas annually, of which Indians secure about 70%. The new Trump administration’s tightened H-1B scrutiny since early 2025, combined with layoffs at tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Intel, has heightened anxiety among Indian professionals.“Our clients are more fearful, especially about international travel and visa ‘stamping’ at consular posts abroad,” Joel Yanovich, an attorney at Murthy Law Firm, told the publication. “I don’t think a day goes by without clients asking if it’s safe to travel.”This has driven demand for L-1 visas (for intracompany transfers) and O-1 visas (for individuals with extraordinary abilities in fields like science, arts, or business), which lack the annual caps of H-1B visas. “Part of this spike is seasonal, tied to those not selected in the H-1B lottery, but it also reflects employers and individuals aiming to avoid anticipated H-1B scrutiny,” Yanovich said.

Some companies are transferring employees to countries like Canada temporarily to qualify for L-1 visas, which can lead to EB-1C green cards for managers, Raman explained. Others are pursuing EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) visas for those with advanced degrees working in the US national interest, she added.Gnanamookan Senthurjothi, a US immigration attorney, told ET that the number of people seeking assistance for these visa options has risen in recent months.