Laid Off Indians panic after 60-Day H1B Rule

The rapid shift towards artificial intelligence is reshaping the global tech industry, but it is also creating growing anxiety among thousands of Indian professionals working in the United States on H-1B visas. As major technology companies continue restructuring operations and investing heavily in AI systems, job cuts are increasing across the sector.

Several global firms, including Meta, Amazon and Oracle, have announced layoffs in recent months. These workforce reductions are affecting a large number of foreign employees, especially Indian tech workers who depend on H-1B visas to stay employed in the US.

For many professionals, losing a job has become more than just a career setback. Under US immigration rules, H-1B visa holders generally get only 60 days to secure another employer willing to sponsor their visa. If they fail to find a new opportunity within that period, they may be forced to leave the country.

This situation has left many Indian workers uncertain about their future, especially those who have spent years building careers and lives in the US. Reports suggest that laid-off employees are now exploring alternative ways to remain in the country while searching for jobs.

One option gaining attention is switching temporarily to a B-2 visitor visa, which can allow individuals to stay in the US for a longer period. However, immigration experts say approvals for such requests are becoming increasingly difficult, with authorities asking for additional documents and closely reviewing applications.

Apart from B-2 visas, affected workers are also considering other immigration pathways such as:

Some professionals are even exploring relocation options in countries like Canada through programs such as Express Entry and the Global Talent Stream.

According to data from Layoffs.fyi, more than 1,10,000 employees have lost jobs across 144 tech companies in 2026 so far. Industry observers believe a significant number of them could be H-1B workers, including thousands of Indians employed in software and engineering roles.

The latest round of job cuts is reportedly expected to impact engineering and product teams the most, as companies focus more aggressively on AI-driven operations and automation.

Meanwhile, Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly highlighted AI as a major priority for Meta’s future growth plans. Reports indicate that the company may invest over $100 billion in AI infrastructure and related technologies this year.

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the tech landscape, Indian professionals in the US are increasingly facing pressure to adapt quickly in an uncertain employment environment.

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