- An Indian tech professional in the US faces visa uncertainties despite career success
- Madhur Mehta completed his master's and works at Amazon on an H-1B visa
- He plans to apply for EB-1A but worries about potential visa policy changes
An Indian tech professional living in the United States weighed in on the ongoing immigration uncertainties and opened up about how it has prevented him from making permanent life choices despite building a successful career there. Speaking to Business Insider, the techie named Madhur Mehta, who lives in Seattle and works for Amazon, said all he wanted was to have a stable career and join a good company when he came to the US for his master's degree in August 2021. While he achieved his goals, there are still uncertainties.
"I wanted to grow professionally and personally, and support my family back home in India," the 35-year-old said as per the media outlet.
While he achieved his professional goals, he revealed that his five-year journey in America has felt like an unending race that has taken an unexpected emotional toll.
After completing his degree from UT Dallas in 2023, he worked under Optional Practical Training (OPT) while searching for an employer to sponsor his H-1B visa.
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Uncertainties over visa policy
Although he eventually secured an H-1B lottery slot after joining Amazon, he noted that the visa brings some peace of mind. But still, there's uncertainty.
"I still plan to pursue the EB-1A, and I'm glad the H-1B visa is giving me more time to build up my profile for the application. But there's still uncertainty. If the government decides to change the visa rules, it could flip my life," he said in the report.
"If you lose your job on the H-1B, you generally have 60 days to find a new one. For couples who are both immigrants, that uncertainty can affect both careers."
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Affect on personal life
Mehta got engaged to his fiancee in 2025, but the couple has put major life steps on hold. They considered purchasing a home last year but ultimately decided to continue renting.
"Until we're both clear on our visa statuses, we can't plan ahead. Last year, we explored buying a house, but couldn't commit. I have friends who've been here for more than 10 years but are still renting apartments because of uncertainty," he said.
"Being away from family in India is also difficult. God forbid there's an issue back home; my parents have to handle it alone. Travelling outside the US can be complicated."
"If I get my EB-1A, I'll be able to think about starting a family and buying a house. I'll be able to travel back to India without worrying about stamping, and I won't have to worry so much about what happens if I lose my job."
While he acknowledges the strong career opportunities in the US, Mehta warned that public perception often highlights only the success stories, not the ongoing stress of visa instability.
"I imagined a very dreamy life in the US. I know people probably see my life on Instagram and think everything is going well. They see the job and the happy photos, but that's only half the story," he said.
