Archive · 5 Nov 2025
H-1B Tech Worker Laid Off After Returning to US
A person who came to the U.S. for a tech job using a special H-1B visa got laid off very quickly after returning.
They had worked for the same company since finishing their master's degree.
When their visa wasn't chosen, the company sent them to India, then Canada, before finally getting the U.S. visa.
After returning to the U.S. in September, they and a coworker were let go.
The person felt surprised because they had been with the company a long time.
Their biggest regret is not looking for a new job sooner because they thought staying loyal to the company was important.
They learned that companies don't always take care of you, so it's important to always be looking for other job opportunities.
This story has made other tech workers, especially those on H-1B visas, talk about how to be safe in their jobs and plan ahead.
A 29-year-old H-1B visa holder was laid off within a month of returning to the US.
The individual had previously been transferred to India and Canada due to visa issues before their H-1B was approved.
Despite being a long-term employee and paying for premium visa processing, the professional was laid off unexpectedly.
The biggest regret expressed was not starting to apply for new jobs earlier, fearing it would look bad to switch employers so soon after returning.
The incident highlights the risks of company loyalty for tech professionals, particularly those on work visas, and the importance of proactive job searching.
- Who
- A 29-year-old tech professional on an H-1B visa
- What
- Was laid off within a month of returning to the US, regretting not applying for jobs earlier.
- When
- Recently, after returning to the US in late September.
- Where
- United States, within the tech industry.
- Why
- The company's team was reportedly not working on billable hours, leading to layoffs, and the individual realized the risks of company loyalty without proactive job searching.
Blind Company Loyalty
Proactive Job Searching
Company Loyalty vs. Self-Interest
Blind Company Loyalty
The laid-off worker regrets not applying for other jobs sooner, believing their company would value their tenure and loyalty.
Proactive Job Searching
The experience led to the realization that no company is worth blind loyalty, emphasizing the need for professionals to prioritize their own career and job security.
Impact of Visa Status on Job Security
Blind Company Loyalty
The professional returned to the US on an H-1B visa, only to be laid off shortly after their return, highlighting the precariousness of employment for visa holders.
Proactive Job Searching
The layoff occurred despite the worker being a long-term member of the team and having paid for premium processing of their visa, suggesting factors beyond performance played a role.
- Visa Type
- H-1B
- Age
- 29-year-old
- Education
- Master's degree
- Company Tenure
- Since graduating in 2021 until layoff
- Location Shift
- US -> India -> Canada -> US
- Platform of Incident
