H-1B AI Engineer Job Loss: US Tech Worker Forced To Consider India Return After Project Relocates
An Indian AI engineer in the US on an H-1B visa was laid off when his entire project shifted to India. Unable to secure a new job within the 60-day grace period, the debt-free professional is now evaluating career options and the tech job market back in India. Scroll below to see his viral Reddit post.
An Indian artificial intelligence engineer who spent six years building his career in the United States is weighing a return home after losing his job under ironic circumstances. The professional was laid off while on an H-1B visa when his employer decided to shift his entire project to its team in India. The case highlights the complex realities faced by foreign tech workers in the US, navigating strict visa timelines while corporate restructuring increasingly moves technical roles overseas.
Six-Year Journey in the US and Sudden Layoff
The engineer moved to the US six years ago to pursue a master's degree before securing a full-time position at a Fortune 500 product-based company. After spending more than three years with the firm, corporate restructuring rendered his position redundant as operations were relocated. Krutrim Layoffs: Bhavish Aggarwal's AI Startup Cuts Nearly Half Its Workforce in Second Restructuring.
Indian AI Engineer Loses US Job as Work Moves to India
Returning from USA to India due to layoff while being on a H1b. Ironically my Job and entire project got moved to India team.by
Like other professionals on an H-1B visa, he faced the mandatory 60-day grace period to secure alternative employment and maintain legal status. Despite active efforts, he was unable to finalise a new role within the tight window. "I'm sort of in a messy situation, I'm an AI Engineer, been to the US for master's 6 years ago, later got a full-time job at a F500 product-based firm, worked there for over 3 years and now got laid off(Job moved to India, the irony I know). I tried but couldn't move to the next role in 60days, took a break from everything and now planning to move to India but not sure about Indian market," he wrote in a post shared on Reddit.
Weighing Options and the Indian Job Market
Now taking a brief career pause, the engineer is evaluating his next steps. While returning to the US through further academic pursuits - such as a second master's degree or a PhD- remains a possibility, a permanent move back to India is looking increasingly likely. Now in his early 30s and financially stable with his student loans cleared, he brings a combined profile of 3.5 years of prior experience in India and three years of US corporate tenure, specialising entirely in AI engineering. CRED Layoff Rumours: Viral Social Media Post Alleges Fintech Giant of 'Silent' 30% Tech Team Cuts; Spark Debate.
"I can either do a PHD or 2nd master's and stay in the US and fight it out or just quit this visa limbo and return home," the Reddit user said. While his resume reflects solid credentials from a major global product firm, he has expressed uncertainty regarding the current hiring landscape and compensation standards for specialised AI roles within India's tech ecosystem, prompting him to seek guidance from peer professional networks.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 29, 2026 07:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
