Fresh layoffs across major American technology companies are once again putting thousands of Indian professionals in the US under immense pressure, as job losses now carry the added risk of losing legal residency status.
Companies like Meta, Amazon and LinkedIn have announced fresh rounds of layoffs amid aggressive restructuring around artificial intelligence and automation. While the cuts are affecting employees globally, Indian workers on H-1B visas are among the most vulnerable.
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Most Indian tech professionals in the US work on H-1B visas that are tied directly to their employers. Under current US immigration rules, laid-off workers usually receive only 60 days to secure another sponsoring employer or leave the country.
For many families, the impact goes far beyond employment. Indian professionals waiting years for green cards now face uncertainty involving home loans, children’s education, healthcare and long-term settlement plans.
Reports suggest several laid-off workers are trying temporary alternatives like switching to B-1 or B-2 visitor visas to buy extra time while searching for jobs. However, immigration experts say US authorities have recently increased scrutiny on such applications.
According to Layoffs.fyi, over 110,000 tech employees have lost jobs this year alone, with a large number believed to be foreign workers. Indians continue to remain the biggest beneficiaries of the H-1B visa programme, making them especially exposed during industry slowdowns.
The rise of AI is also changing hiring trends. Companies are cutting traditional roles while investing heavily in AI-focused teams and automation tools. Bloomberg reported that Meta alone is expected to spend over $100 billion this year on AI investments.
The growing uncertainty is also forcing many Indian professionals to rethink long-term plans in the US, with some now considering returning to India or exploring opportunities in Europe and Canada.
