AI jobs not safe? Indian engineer on H-1B visa loses job after working for 6 years at Fortune 500 company; seeks career advice from netizens

An Indian AI engineer on an H-1B visa has sought advice on whether to return to India or continue pursuing opportunities in the United States after losing his job when his employer shifted his project to India.

The engineer, who spent around six years in the US after moving there for higher studies, said he worked for more than three years at a Fortune 500 product-based company before being laid off. He shared his situation on Reddit, seeking opinions on the Indian job market, career options and whether pursuing another degree in the US would be worthwhile.

Engineer faces visa dilemma after job loss

In his Reddit post, the engineer said he completed his master's degree in the US six years ago and later secured a full-time role at a Fortune 500 firm. After losing his job, he was unable to find another position within the 60-day period allowed under his visa conditions.


He said he had taken a break and was considering returning to India but was uncertain about career prospects there. His options included pursuing a PhD or a second master's degree to remain in the US or leaving the visa uncertainty behind and moving back home.

The engineer said he is in his early 30s, unmarried and has cleared his student loans. He highlighted his qualifications, including bachelor's and master's degrees, 3.5 years of work experience in India, three years of US experience and expertise in AI engineering.

Netizens suggest exploring Indian job market

The post received responses from several Reddit users, with many advising him to explore job opportunities in India before committing to another degree.

One user suggested reaching out to the India team that took over the project, saying his experience with the client and project could make him valuable. The user added that he could potentially seek compensation of ₹40 lakh per annum or more in such a situation.

Another user advised him to try staying in the US, while others said his profile had strong prospects in India due to his US experience, AI expertise and Fortune 500 background.

Users warn of hiring challenges and pay cuts

Some users suggested considering relocation options instead of pursuing additional education, arguing that another master's degree or PhD may not resolve visa challenges.

Another commenter advised exploring opportunities through platforms such as LinkedIn and Naukri, while cautioning that hiring timelines could be lengthy and compensation could vary widely depending on the company.

A user also shared a similar experience involving a US-returned professional who reportedly faced a significant pay cut after moving back to India and took more than five months to find a job.

The user said the individual remained frustrated with the Indian recruitment process and was still interested in returning to the US.