Washington: Large-scale layoffs across major American technology companies have intensified concerns among Indian professionals working in the United States on H-1B visas. Workforce reductions by companies such as Meta, Amazon and several other tech giants have left thousands of Indian employees uncertain about their future in the country.
Under US immigration rules, an H-1B visa holder receives a grace period of only 60 days after losing employment to secure a new job and obtain fresh visa sponsorship. Failure to do so may compel the individual to leave the United States.
According to industry experts, recent layoffs in the technology sector have been driven by cost-cutting measures and restructuring linked to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Indian professionals have been among the worst affected, as they constitute the largest share of H-1B visa holders employed in the American technology industry.
Many affected families are now facing severe financial and emotional stress. Professionals who have spent years building their lives in the United States are dealing with concerns related to home loans, children’s education, health insurance and lengthy green card waiting periods. Several workers have described the situation on social media as a threat to the stability of their entire lives.
Immigration experts say a growing number of laid-off employees are attempting to switch temporarily to B-2 visitor visas in order to gain additional time to search for employment. However, US authorities have reportedly increased scrutiny and documentation requirements for such applications.
Industry estimates suggest that more than 100,000 technology sector jobs have been cut in 2026 so far. Amid the uncertainty, many Indian professionals are also exploring opportunities in countries such as Canada and those in Europe.