H-1B layoffs leave Indian tech workers in US with 60 days to find new job
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Fresh layoffs across major US technology companies are leaving thousands of Indian professionals on H-1B visas facing uncertainty over both employment and immigration status.
Recent job cuts at Meta, Amazon, and LinkedIn have intensified concerns among Indian tech workers, many of whom depend on employer-sponsored visas to remain in the United States.
Under US immigration rules, H-1B visa holders generally have 60 days after losing their jobs to find a new employer willing to sponsor their visa or leave the country. The countdown usually begins from the employee’s last working day.
For many Indian professionals, the layoffs carry consequences beyond employment. Workers with pending green card applications, mortgages, children in schools, and long-term settlement plans now face uncertainty over whether they can continue living in the US.
Many laid-off workers are reportedly exploring temporary options such as switching to B-1 or B-2 visitor visas to extend their stay while searching for new jobs. However, reports suggest that US immigration authorities have increased scrutiny of such applications.
According to Layoffs.fyi, more than 110,000 tech employees have lost jobs this year. Indian nationals continue to account for the majority of approved H-1B visa petitions in the US, making them especially vulnerable during industry-wide layoffs.
The latest cuts come as technology companies restructure operations around artificial intelligence and automation. Meta alone is expected to invest more than $100 billion this year in AI-related projects.
The rapid shift toward AI has also raised fears that hiring slowdowns may not be temporary. Workers say the pressure of visa-linked employment leaves little room for career breaks or extended unemployment.
A recent Blind poll indicated that nearly half of Indian professionals in the US would consider returning to India if they lost their jobs, while others are exploring opportunities in Canada and Europe.