For years, IIT graduates chased the dream of landing a Silicon Valley job, but the 2026 placement season tells a different story. A significant hiring shift shows the USA is no longer the top destination.
Instead, IITs are reporting that the biggest offers are now coming from India, the Netherlands, the UK, and Singapore, driven by new hiring models and global strategy changes.
Why IIT Placements Are Moving Away from the USA
US Visa Hurdles Have Slowed Hiring
Companies are reducing US-based roles because of:
- Long visa wait times
- Uncertain approvals
- High relocation risk
For reference, the latest visa processing updates from the U.S. Department of State highlight delays:
👉 https://travel.state.gov/
As a result, companies like Google, Microsoft, and De Shaw are focusing on India and Europe instead of moving talent to the U.S.
Where IIT Graduates Are Being Hired in 2026
1. Europe Is the New Preferred Destination
Countries like the Netherlands, UK, and Germany are aggressively recruiting Indian STEM graduates due to internal talent shortages.
This trend aligns with global STEM workforce insights published by the OECD:
https://www.oecd.org/
Europe offers:
- Faster work visas
- Competitive salaries
- A booming AI & fintech ecosystem
2. Singapore Becomes a Strong APAC Tech Hub
Singapore is expanding high-value engineering teams, driven by government support and tech-sector growth.
Global tech workforce studies by World Economic Forum support this shift:
https://www.weforum.org/
IITians prefer Singapore due to:
- Smooth relocation
- High income opportunities
- Proximity to India
3. India Now Offers US-Level Packages
A major shift: India itself is now one of the highest-paying markets for IIT graduates.
Top recruiters offering ₹50 LPA to ₹1 crore include:
- NK Securities
- Graviton
- Quadeye
- Atlas Research
- Quantbox
India’s tech boom and rising AI investments are documented in reports by NASSCOM:
https://nasscom.in/
Tech giants are hiring for India-based engineering hubs in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Gurgaon, making relocation unnecessary.
What This Means for Students Preparing for 2026 Placements
Skill > Location
The hiring geography has changed, but expectations have increased. Companies now want graduates skilled in:
- AI & Machine Learning
- Cloud & DevOps
- Data Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- High-frequency trading fundamentals
How Students Can Prepare for This Hiring Shift
To compete globally, students need industry-ready skills, not just academic knowledge.
✔ Real-world projects
✔ Placement-ready portfolios
✔ Technical depth in modern tools
Students can gain these through live training programs, internships, and expert mentorship at:
https://transition.co.in/
This allows students to match the expectations of top recruiters hiring in India, Europe, and Singapore.
FAQs (Optimized for Featured Snippets)
Why are IIT placements moving away from the USA?
Because companies face visa hurdles and prefer hiring where talent can work without relocation issues—mainly India, Europe, and Singapore.
Which countries offer top IIT salary packages now?
Netherlands, UK, Germany, Singapore, and India.
Are Indian companies offering US-level salaries?
Yes. Many firms now offer packages from ₹50 LPA to ₹1 crore, comparable to global markets.
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