H-1B Visa Holders Face Career and Financial Uncertainties in America

For highly skilled foreign workers in America, the H-1B visa program offers a way to build a career in the US, but it also comes with significant costs and uncertainties. Madhur Mehta, who landed an H-1B visa at Amazon, feels like he's been in a 'race' since moving to the US five years ago. He and his fiancée explored buying a house last year but couldn't commit due to their uncertain visa status.

Mehta is not alone in facing these challenges. Shreya Mishra Reddy, who came to the US for her master's degree, had planned to leave the country and apply for H-1B jobs from overseas after her student work authorization expired in January 2026. However, the Trump administration's announcement of a $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions shook up her plans.

The H-1B program has come under scrutiny over the past year, with critics arguing that it can make long-term planning difficult for workers. Nicole Gunara, a principal attorney at Manifest Law, notes that the employer tie affects everything, making it challenging for workers to change jobs or pursue promotions without facing paperwork and uncertainty.