A 27-year-old Indian man has said he plans to return to India after being unable to secure employment in the United States, despite completing a Master’s degree and applying extensively for jobs. His experience, shared in a widely discussed post on Reddit, has resonated with many international students facing similar challenges.
In the post, titled “Did everything ‘right’ in the US, still failed, heading back to India”, the man described following what is often considered the conventional route to settling abroad. He said he moved to the US in August 2022, completed his Master’s degree in December 2023, and began job hunting in early 2024.
“From Feb’24 till present I’ve been unemployed,” he wrote, adding that he applied aggressively, often submitting more than 30 job applications a day.
Visa hurdles and sponsorship concerns
The user said his visa status became a major barrier during interviews. According to his account, potential employers frequently declined to proceed once they learned he required visa sponsorship. “By chance if I get any interview, they say due to the visa status you’re not eligible or since you need sponsorship we can’t consider you,” he wrote.
Job prospects reportedly worsened after new policies under President Donald Trump increased the financial burden on employers. As reported by New India Abroad, a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions has made companies more reluctant to sponsor recent graduates, particularly for entry-level roles.
Decision to return
Facing prolonged unemployment and dwindling options, the man said he now feels compelled to return to India. His post has sparked discussions online about the risks international students face amid tightening immigration rules, rising costs and uncertain job markets in the US.
Several users responding to the post shared similar experiences, while others urged prospective students to carefully assess visa policies and employment prospects before pursuing higher education abroad.