H-1B visa has been in the news a lot lately. From the application fee of $100k and US president Donald Trump changing their stance on the visa, many workers in the US are feeling uncertain about their future.
Among those caught in the crossfire is a young tech worker on an H-1B visa, who recently got laid off. He shared his experience on Reddit, opening up about the challenges of job loss and how it is affecting him.
The shock of being laid off
For many, getting laid off is never easy, but for this young techie, it was even more difficult because he saw it coming. “I thought this one was going to be easy,” he wrote on Reddit. “I kind of knew it was coming.” Still, when the day arrived, it was a shock to his system.
He vividly described how his heart sank as the HR manager joined the meeting just a minute before him and his direct managers. “I knew what she was about to say, but still… I was feeling jittery as I waited for those words to come out of her mouth,” he explained.
In the moments after hearing the news, his mind spiralled with worries and uncertainties. “My mind immediately opened 50 tabs,” he shared, describing the overwhelming flood of thoughts rushing through him. He was suddenly thinking about LinkedIn, job searches, preparing for the holiday season, paying off his mortgage, and, most urgently, the reality of his 60-day grace period on his H-1B visa.
It is a familiar feeling for many H-1B workers who face a ticking clock after a layoff. The visa gives them just 60 days to find a new job or risk leaving the country.
Once the initial shock wore off, the young techie found himself wondering how others were coping with similar situations. In his Reddit post, he asked, “How are people coping up?” He questioned whether it was about having a solid routine, talking things out with someone, or finding grounding activities to regain a sense of normalcy.
The techie noted that he was not a fan of staying cooped up in shame, even though it is a common reaction after a setback like this. Instead, he was looking for advice on how to stay grounded during this turbulent time. “Was it structure? Babbling it out to someone? Or just taking time to settle in?” he wondered, indicating his search for ways to manage his stress and stay positive
The techie also opened up about how important it was to feel connected with others going through the same thing. “I think I’m trying to resonate with folks… don’t want to feel it is just me having these thoughts,” he shared. It iss clear that in moments like this, knowing you are not alone can make a huge difference in coping.
For many tech workers on H-1B visas, layoffs come with an extra layer of stress due to visa restrictions. The 60-day grace period is a constant reminder of the stakes.
‘Focus on the positives’
Netizens explained how to navigate this situation to the techie. A user noted, “I’m practicing letting go. Let go of my control on the outcomes. Trying to trust that whatever is meant to happen will happen. I can do my actions but I can’t predict the future.”
Another added, “Lost job in august and I got my job on day 50 but to be honest I really got depressed around day 30. I got my life together with schedule routine and meditation. I started getting interviews after that. having a good schedule is VITAL.”
“I did not pause to think or feel. I started applying and studying and evening i watched TV Stayed active with gym and eating healthy. But I pretty much applied and studied like it was my full time job,” explained a user.
“Exact same situation happened to me a month ago and still searching for job and no positive market , I have around 4 years of experience,” added another.
“Reach out to your network. It’s a powerful asset and it’s time to use it. Otherwise you won’t find companies which sponsor and many roles for which you qualify have a long line of candidates,” explained a user.
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