H-1B visa has become one of the biggest topics of conversation in recent times. Over the months, the debate has swung wildly, from the Trump administration talking about charging $100,000 for an application to the current message that US actually needs more skilled workers.
But in the middle of all these political statements and policy shifts, one H-1B worker on Reddit is offering a powerful reality check.
Instead of talking about numbers or policies, this person talks about the everyday struggles, the pressure, and the uncertainty that many H-1B holders quietly carry.
The post tells us about hope, success, fear, and uncertainty, all emotions that many international workers quietly carry.
By sharing their experience, the visa holder explains how the H-1B visa, often seen as a symbol of stability, can suddenly become a source of pressure.
What does the post explain?
In the post, the writer looks back at the moment they arrived in the US. Filled with dreams, they stepped into a new country believing that anything was possible.
He wrote, “For some, H-1B is a blessing; for others, it’s a disaster. I came to the US in August 2022 full of dreams, and I was lucky, I landed a job within my first month of OPT.”
For many international students, finding a job quickly is a major challenge. But for this person, everything fell into place. OPT gave them a chance to start building a career, and it seemed like they were on the right path.
The writer says the early part of their career journey went smoothly. Their employer filed their H-1B, and everything lined up perfectly, “Everything went smoothly until 2024. My H-1B got picked in March 2024 and approved with a change of status. I went to India, got it stamped, came back — and within months, I was laid off.”
For many, making their way out through H-1B is a big relief. It means a longer stay, a secure job, and the chance to build a life in the US But what happened next shows how quickly things can change.
The writer describes how the excitement of securing an H-1B soon turned into fear. The unexpected layoff created an emotional and legal shock.
“Suddenly, the stability that H-1B promised became a ticking clock. I had no idea where to start, what my options were, or who to turn to for guidance.”
Losing a job is overwhelming for anyone, but for H-1B workers, the stakes are higher. The immigration rules create a clear deadline: find a new job within 60 days or lose your legal status.
For someone who just celebrated receiving their visa approval, the shift from confidence to anxiety can be intense.
“If I had stayed on OPT, I would still have had two more years of freedom to explore roles and rebuild. But on H-1B, you have 60 days — and a lot of pressure.”
‘Always have a backup plan’
Netizens also reacted to the post. A user noted, “Always have a backup plan that includes returning to your home country. Good luck in your search and please update us.”
“Just throwing it out there that a friend was on OPT when he was laid off. He couldn’t find a new position since OPT has a shorter expiration date. Please don’t stress yourself out on what ifs with the OPT,” stated a user.
“H-1B promised stability is a joke,” added another.
“H-1B is a double edged sword. At least for me and my wife, when we talk about our future, the plan is to stay here as much as possible and save enough so when/if the time comes to go back there are no regrets financially,” claimed a user.
(This story is based on a post shared by a social media user. The details, opinions, and statements quoted herein belong solely to the original poster and do not reflect the views of Financialexpress.com. We have not independently verified the claims.)