27-Year-Old NRI Returns to India After Visa Barriers Block US Employment

A candid account by a 27-year-old non-resident Indian (NRI) detailing his unsuccessful attempt to build a career in the United States has gone viral on social media, highlighting the challenges faced by international graduates amid strict visa rules and a competitive job market. The post, shared on Reddit, contrasts sharply with the more common success stories often associated with studying and working abroad.

In the post titled “Did everything ‘right’ in the US, still failed, heading back to India,” the individual said he moved to the United States in August 2022 to pursue a master’s degree, which he completed in December 2023. However, he claimed that despite months of effort, he was unable to secure employment and remained unemployed from February 2024 onward, eventually deciding to return to India.

According to the post, the NRI applied aggressively for jobs, submitting more than 30 applications a day. While he occasionally received interview calls, the process reportedly stalled due to his visa status. He said employers cited ineligibility linked to work authorization or the need for sponsorship as reasons for not moving forward with his candidature.

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The story struck a chord online, with several users expressing empathy and offering words of encouragement. Many commented that failure can occur despite following the expected path and suggested that returning to India could open up new opportunities. Some users pointed to improving prospects in India’s job market, while others framed the experience as a matter of timing and circumstance rather than personal shortcomings.

Others used the post to draw attention to broader structural issues affecting global employment. Commenters cited an oversupply of white-collar workers, layoffs in developed economies, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the influx of international students after the Covid-19 pandemic as factors intensifying competition for limited jobs. Together, these conditions, they argued, have made it increasingly difficult for foreign graduates to secure employment in countries like the United States, even after completing higher education there.

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