India, Oct. 22 -- The guidelines regarding H-1B visas issued Monday should come as a relief to the large Indian student community in the US. The government has clarified that foreign students already in the US (under F-1 student visas) can transition to H-1B work visas without paying the recently introduced $100,000 (H-1B visa) fee.

However, the fee, introduced against the backdrop of rising anti-immigrant sentiment across the US, has triggered fear and uncertainty over education and employment opportunities in the US. Fewer Indian students now seek admission in US universities. Our government and universities must see an opportunity in this crisis. The outflow of young, bright students to US universities is both a loss of talent and mon...