H-1B Visa and Indian Challenges: Uncertainty and Mental Health

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Indian H-1B visa holders report mental health struggles due to job and visa uncertainties.
Strict rules limit travel freedom for those awaiting visa extensions.
Losing a job gives only 60 days to secure new employment.
Indians dominate H-1B visas but face decade-long green card backlogs.
Social media highlights the hardships of Indian immigrants.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

H-1B Visa and Job Insecurity

Indian H-1B visa holders in the US face immense pressure due to restrictive policies. Losing a job leaves them with only 60 days to find another, causing anxiety about their future in the US.

Mental Health Challenges Among Immigrants

On social platforms, immigrants candidly share their struggles with anxiety and depression. One shared, “Every few years, I wait anxiously for my H-1B renewal. It’s mentally exhausting.”

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Green Card Backlogs and Family Separation

Indians make up 72% of H-1B holders, yet many remain stuck in green card queues for over a decade. A report projects this backlog to swell to over 2.19 million by 2030, adding to mental strain.

Emotional Toll of Travel Restrictions

Visa extension applicants are often advised against traveling. A user expressed regret at missing his uncle’s funeral, stating, “I couldn’t be with my family when they needed me.”

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Living on the Edge

Immigrants live minimalistically, often avoiding major investments due to future uncertainties. One shared, “We only own what we can sell quickly in case we have to leave abruptly.”

Call for Systemic Reforms

Critics highlight the urgency for reforming the H-1B process, which impacts over a million lives. Many describe it as a system treating immigrants like replaceable components.

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