Under President Donald Trump’s administration, visa policies saw significant tightening, especially impacting F1, B1/B2, and H-1B visa holders. Against this backdrop, a recent social media post has drawn attention to the struggles of international students trying to navigate the complex U.S. immigration system. The post came from a final-year F1 STEM OPT holder who was laid off in May 2025 but had their H-1B visa selected in this year’s lottery — their last chance to secure the highly competitive visa. Despite the lottery success, the individual’s employer refused to support or file the H-1B petition, leaving them in a precarious legal status and unsure how to proceed.
The STEM OPT extension allows eligible F-1 students with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to extend their practical work experience in the U.S. by 24 months beyond the initial 12-month OPT period. However, without employer sponsorship for the H-1B petition, maintaining legal status becomes a daunting challenge.
The post sparked a wave of responses online. One user bluntly responded, “I think you are cooked homie. Your employer had to activate your H-1B for you to transfer it. So basically, there is no visa to transfer and as far as I know, the selection is not transferable either. My old roommate got laid off right after H1B selection and he lost it.”
Another sympathised, saying, “I’ve faced years of anxiety waiting for my H1B selection with no luck. Unfortunately, without your employer filing, there’s no way to save your case. You just have your STEM OPT time left. Sending you a warm hug.” Some offered potential alternatives, with one user noting, “A friend in a similar spot managed to secure an internal, less competitive role with his company, allowing them to file his H1B. Maybe you could explore if your employer would rehire you in any capacity to move forward.”
Another pointed to a possible legal route: “My friend was laid off shortly after H1B selection but found a new employer who filed a change of employer petition, activating his H1B. It’s worth consulting an immigration attorney.” Others discussed broader trends, with one remarking, “American companies are shifting jobs to India — maybe consider moving with the jobs.”