Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu voiced his opinions on the raging debate around the H-1B visa fee, and offered a strong message to Indian professionals working in the United States. In a post on X, Vembu advised Indian H-1B visa holders to consider returning to India rather than continuing to live under uncertainty and fear abroad. In his post, Vembu encouraged Indian professionals in the US to make the difficult but empowering decision to return to their roots. “I have heard so many accounts from Sindhi friends about how their families had to leave everything and come to India during partition. They rebuilt their lives, and Sindhis have done well in India,” he wrote. Sharing a different perspective on the changing dynamics for immigrants in the US, he also wrote, “I am sad to say this, but for Indians on an H1-B visa in America, this may be that time. Come back home. It may take 5 years to rebuild your lives, but it will make you stronger.” Vembu ended the post by writing, “Do not live in fear. Make the bold move. You will do well.” See the viral post here: I have heard so many accounts from Sindhi friends about how their families had to leave everything and come to India during partition. They rebuilt their lives and Sindhis have done well in India. I am sad to say this, but for Indians on an H1-B visa in America, this may be that… — Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) September 21, 2025 The post quickly gained traction, driving a wave of reactions. "I come from a Punjabi partition family and find this a viscerally tone deaf post. No one in the US in 2025 is riding a blood train or severing their daughter’s head to save her honor because they’re the wrong religion. Lives are being upended but there is no comparison," a user argued. "Temporary little pain but massive gains for Indians and India," another user commented. "My family is one of those you mentioned but then we supposedly moved from one part of India to another when partition was announced. My ancestral home still stands there but it’s just another structure for us now," a third user reacted. The US President Donald Trump imposed a $100,000 fee for all new H-1B visa applications. The fee would take effect from midnight on September 21.
