I plan to leave the US because I cant get an H-1B visa. Im worried Trumps $100,000 fee means my American dream is over.

• Shreya Mishra Reddy got here to the US in 2021 to examine, and now works in tech at Visa.

• After not getting an H-1B visa via the lottery system while in the US, she deliberate to return to India and attempt again.

• She has misplaced hope of getting employed in the US due to the Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee.

This as-told-to essay is based on a dialog with 33-year-old Shreya Mishra Reddy, a technical program supervisor at Visa based in Austin. Business Insider has verified Reddy’s employment, immigration standing, and unsuccessful H-1B makes an attempt. The following has been edited for size and readability.

I never dreamed of dwelling in the US. I grew up in India and needed to keep close to my dad and mom.

In December 2021, I moved to the States for a Master’s program in engineering management at Duke University. After I graduated in 2022, I bought a job at Visa as a technical program supervisor in 2023.

I needed to keep working and learning in the US, but I tried to get a H-1B visa 3 times and was unsuccessful.

When I read about the Trump administration’s plans to introduce a $100,000 fee for employers sponsoring new H-1B petitions, it felt like my state of affairs was getting worse and worse.

My scholar work authorization, which permits me to be employed in the US, is expiring in January. I deliberate to return to India and reapply for an H-1B, but with the new $100,000 fee, it seems like there’s no hope left.

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Not getting an H-1B visa in the lottery hit me laborious

Before transferring to the US, I labored at Tata Consultancy Services in Bengaluru for 5 and a half years. I was glad with my profession, but I needed to add to my skilled profile by learning overseas. I was impressed by colleagues and schoolmates who moved to Europe and the US, and I was so glad that I was accepted by Duke, an Ivy Plus faculty.

I went to the US on an F-1 scholar visa. As a STEM scholar, I may spend an further three years in the US through Optional Practical Training, which is a kind of work authorization.

When I joined Visa in February 2023, the company filed paperwork for me to get a H-1B visa. Registrants are randomly chosen for processing in a lottery system, and I wasn’t picked.

I was unsuccessful the next 12 months, too, and it hit me fairly laborious. At the time, I’d not too long ago accomplished a management program at Harvard Business School while working at Visa. It was disappointing that despite my skilled and educational achievements, I wasn’t chosen because of the lottery.

In April 2025, I discovered I wasn’t chosen a third time. I thought I was mentally ready to contemplate leaving the States, but I broke down in the workplace when I noticed the outcomes.

My three-year scholar work authorization ends in January 2026, so I’ll most most likely have to leave the US before then.

With the new $100,000 H-1B fee, Im not assured Ill be employed in the US again

I still need to work out where I’m going next and what my employment state of affairs will seem like after January.

I had been wanting into another Master’s program in the US. I thought perhaps I may return to India and apply for H-1B jobs there, which might permit me to come back to the US and work while learning.

But it just bought $100,000 more costly to rent somebody like me, who’d be making use of for an H-1B visa from outdoors the US. I imagine in the profile and skillset I’ve constructed up. I know I’m good — but am I that good?

I’m planning to look into other international locations I may transfer to, but emigrating elsewhere might not be simple, either.

I’ll undoubtedly look for jobs in India, where alternatives are opening up. The startup scene is growing, and now that I have expertise from Harvard, Duke, and Visa, I assume I have a a lot stronger résumé to take to India or elsewhere.

With my expertise, I’m sure I’ll have the option to determine one thing out. I’m more worried for worldwide college students in the US, because there’s still confusion about whether or not the latest H-1B modifications may apply to them. I’m involved will probably be extraordinarily tough to get an H-1B visa if the fee will get slapped on them, on top of the unfavourable market, and AI changing jobs.

Its bittersweet to assume about leaving the US after contributing for 4 years

Despite the immigration hurdles I’ve confronted, I would not call my American dream a failure

I have actually liked my time in the US. Whatever the nation promised me, it delivered on. I was in a position to contribute in so many great methods, and for the most half, people have embraced me. I acquired a good-quality schooling learning at two of the best universities in the world, and I’ve been in a position to take my profession to another stage.

The current administration is doing what it thinks is best for the nation with these immigration insurance policies. But it is turning into a greater gamble to come to the US. I really feel it could only make sense to examine right here if you’re be glad to leave after your scholar work authorization expires, do you have to not get a H-1B.

I do not assume people ought to put all the things on the line to come to the US, or put all their eggs in this basket.

I’ve made vital financial and ability contributions to the US. It’s bittersweet to have to leave after investing 4 years right here, without seeing a future.

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