Indian techie forced to return to India after losing H-1B status following layoff, asks: ‘How do I start over?’

An Indian software professional has sparked discussion online after sharing a detailed account of his immigration and employment struggles in the United States, saying he is preparing to return to India after five years abroad with debt, no savings and uncertainty about the future.

In a Reddit post titled, "Returning to India after 5 years in the U.S. feeling completely defeated. How do I start over?" , the 26-year-old said he feels like "an absolute failure" after a series of setbacks involving layoffs, visa complications and prolonged legal and administrative processes.

Journey from master's degree to employment setback

The tech worker said he moved to the United States in 2021 to pursue a master's degree shortly after completing his undergraduate studies. During the programme, he secured a six-month internship and later joined a startup, where he worked for about a year.

He said he was selected in the H-1B visa lottery on his first attempt, a milestone that left him "absolutely elated". Around the same period, he adopted a dog and purchased a new car.


Although he considered moving to a higher-paying employer, he chose to remain with the startup out of loyalty to the company's chief executive, who had offered him the opportunity.

His situation changed last year when he was laid off four months after transitioning to H-1B status.

Visa challenges and removal proceedings

According to the post, the engineer was unable to secure another job within the 60-day grace period and switched to B-2 visitor status to remain compliant with immigration rules.

He later received a Notice to Appear and became involved in removal proceedings. The process lasted about three months and, he said, depleted much of his savings while causing significant stress. He eventually prevailed in the case.

After securing another job, he believed his circumstances were improving. However, he said a government shutdown prevented his new employer from filing the Labour Condition Application in time, forcing him to seek a B-2 extension.

He also said subsequent immigration policy changes complicated his case. His H-1B change-of-status petition received two Requests for Evidence seeking approval of his B-2 application, while both his B-2 and extension applications remained pending for extended periods.

Approval followed by setback

The Reddit user said he spent considerable time gathering documents, including travel records, receipts, photographs and other evidence after receiving a Request for Evidence on his B-2 application.

Two days before publishing the post, he received approval for the B-2 application.

"For the first time in almost 18 months of constant anxiety, uncertainty, depression, and setbacks, it felt like a small ray of light had appeared," he wrote.

However, he said his B-2 extension application was denied the following day, leaving him with instructions to leave the country immediately.

Returning home with debt and uncertainty

The software professional said the layoff occurred one day after his parents obtained B-2 visas to visit him in the United States.

He said he has since sold his car and most of his belongings and is preparing to move back in with his retired parents in India.

Instead of returning with financial stability and savings, he wrote that he is coming back with student loan debt, no savings and little motivation, while remaining uncertain about his next steps.

"The only thing keeping me going right now is my dog," he wrote.

Reflects on personal responsibility

Despite describing the emotional toll of the experience, the Reddit user said he does not blame the government, immigration authorities, his employer or any other party for his situation.

Instead, he questioned whether a lack of motivation, poor decisions, insufficient drive or limitations in his own skills contributed to his circumstances.

The post concluded with the author saying he is struggling to understand how to rebuild his life from scratch after 18 months marked by anxiety, uncertainty and repeated setbacks.

"I just feel exhausted and defeated," he wrote.

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