So, here we are in 2026, and the debate over the Vivek Ramaswamy H1B visa stance is still rattling the windows of both Silicon Valley and D.C. It’s one of those political stories that feels like a glitch in the matrix. You have a guy who built a multibillion-dollar biotech empire, used the very visa system he now wants to "gut," and calls it "indentured servitude."
Is it hypocrisy? Or is it just a businessman who saw the plumbing was leaking and decided to tear out the whole bathroom? Honestly, it depends on who you ask, but the numbers don't lie.
Between 2018 and 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved 29 H1B applications for Ramaswamy’s former company, Roivant Sciences. This fact became a massive "gotcha" moment during the 2024 campaign cycle. Critics jumped on it. They called him a hypocrite for using a program he vowed to destroy.
The "Indentured Servitude" Argument Explained
Ramaswamy hasn't backed down. He argues that the H1B system, as it stands, is a tool for corporate lobbying rather than a bridge for talent. Basically, he thinks the current lottery system is a total crapshoot that doesn't actually prioritize the "best and brightest."
Instead, he claims it creates a class of workers who are tied to their employers in a way that suppresses wages and limits freedom. He’s used the phrase "indentured servitude" so many times it’s practically his catchphrase for immigration reform.
His logic? If you're a high-skilled worker but your legal status in the country is 100% dependent on staying with one specific company, you have zero leverage. You can't easily jump to a competitor for a better salary. You can't start your own firm on a whim.
Ramaswamy’s "fix" is to replace the lottery with a "meritocratic" admission process. He wants to see the 85,000 annual slots go to the people with the highest skills and highest salaries, rather than being handed out by a random computer drawing.
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Why 29 Visas Mattered
When Politico first dropped the report about those 29 H1B approvals at Roivant, the internet went into a tailspin. Ramaswamy’s response was pretty classic Vivek: "I still use water and electricity even if the regulations are broken."
It’s a fair point, sort of. If you're running a high-stakes biotech firm, you play by the rules that exist, not the rules you wish existed. But the optics were tough.
- Total Approvals: 29 visas for Roivant Sciences (2018-2023).
- The Intent: Hiring top-tier graduates from elite U.S. universities.
- The Contradiction: Vowing to "gut" the system while actively benefiting from it to build a multi-billion dollar valuation.
The Trump 2.0 Reality and the $100,000 Fee
Fast forward to where we are now. With Ramaswamy’s influence in the current administration—specifically his role alongside Elon Musk in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—those campaign promises are turning into actual policy headaches for tech firms.
We've already seen the "Trump 2.0" administration push the boundaries. Remember that wild September 2025 proclamation? The one that tried to slap a $100,000 fee on H1B petitions for certain workers? That’s the kind of "put your money where your mouth is" energy Ramaswamy was talking about at Montana State events back in late 2025.
He argued that if these workers are truly "essential" and "high-skilled," companies should be willing to pay a premium. It’s a protectionist move wrapped in free-market language.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often think Ramaswamy wants to end all foreign worker programs. That's not quite right. He’s actually a fan of the people—the high-achieving immigrants—but he hates the process.
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He’s been vocal about ending "chain migration," which prioritizes family ties over professional skills. To him, every visa should be a business transaction for the United States: what do we get out of this?
The Impact on the Indian Tech Community
This isn't just a policy debate for the 74% of H1B recipients who come from India. It’s a life-altering shift. The backlog for green cards is already decades long.
If the Vivek Ramaswamy H1B visa plan—switching from a lottery to a pure merit/salary-based system—actually sticks, the "entry-level" tech worker is basically extinct. Only the C-suite level talent or the absolute top-tier engineers would make the cut.
This creates a massive rift:
- Winners: Elite researchers and specialized AI engineers who command $300k+ salaries.
- Losers: Junior developers and IT professionals who used the H1B as a foot in the door.
Is the Lottery Actually Dead?
The lottery for FY2026 was already a mess, with new "beneficiary-centric" rules designed to stop fraud. But the Ramaswamy influence is pushing for something even more radical for the FY2027 cycle.
He wants to move away from "random" entirely. He’s argued that the lottery is "senseless." In his view, a computer shouldn't decide who gets to contribute to the American economy.
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Actionable Steps for Employers and Candidates
If you're navigating this landscape right now, the "wait and see" approach is a recipe for a denial notice. Here is what's actually working in the current climate:
For Employers:
Start auditing your H1B roles for "specialty occupation" compliance immediately. The 2025 Modernization Rule tightened the definitions. If the job description is "general," it’s going to get flagged. You need to show a direct, 1-to-1 relationship between the degree and the job duties.
For Visa Seekers:
Focus on the "merit" metrics that the DOGE-influenced USCIS is looking for. This means higher prevailing wages and specialized certifications. If you're on an F-1 visa, maximize your OPT (Optional Practical Training) time and look for employers who are willing to navigate the $100,000 "restriction" fees if they become a permanent fixture.
The reality is that the Vivek Ramaswamy H1B visa debate has moved past the "campaign trail" stage. It’s now the blueprint for how the U.S. intends to gate-keep its borders. Whether you call it a meritocracy or a wall of fees, the era of the easy lottery win is officially over.
Keep a close eye on the Department of Labor’s updated wage levels. Those are going to be the "stealth" way the administration implements Ramaswamy's vision without needing a full act of Congress. Higher minimum wages for H1Bs mean fewer visas issued—period.