US Senator’s Remarks on Hyderabad ‘Visa Temple’ Spark Row Over H-1B Visas  

Hyderabad has long been associated with US visa aspirations due to its large IT and student population. The Chilkur Balaji Temple, in particular, has become popularly known as the “Visa Temple” because of the number of worshippers who visit before applying for visas

India continues to dominate the H-1B visa programme, accounting for nearly 70 to 80 per cent of approvals each year, far ahead of China and other countries

US Senator Eric Schmitt has triggered a social media debate after criticising India’s connection with the American H-1B visa system and referring to Hyderabad’s famous Chilkur Balaji Temple as a “Visa Temple”, reported ndtv.com.

The Republican senator from Missouri made the remarks in a series of posts on X while attacking US employment-based visa programmes, including H-1B, L-1, F-1 and Optional Practical Training (OPT). He claimed these systems were hurting American workers, lowering wages and weakening the country’s middle class.

• Schmitt alleged that large technology companies use foreign worker programmes to replace local talent with cheaper labour

• He also claimed that billions of dollars were flowing to India for artificial intelligence training and that American taxpayers were indirectly supporting it

In one of his posts, Schmitt shared a photograph of the Chilkur Balaji Temple in Hyderabad, a temple widely known among Indian students and IT professionals seeking blessings before visa interviews or overseas travel. He claimed that thousands of Indians visit the temple to pray for successful US work visa approvals.

The senator further alleged that some visa applicants exchange confidential interview questions with others and accused companies of favouring foreign workers over American graduates.

His comments drew criticism online, with many users accusing him of unfairly targeting Indians and linking religious practices to immigration politics.