A former Microsoft employee who once won the highly sought-after H-1B visa lottery has returned to India, stating that the visa system limited his ability to become an entrepreneur and forced him to rethink the "American Dream."
Journey to the US and Career
Hemant Shetty spent approximately 11 years in the United States after moving there for higher studies in 2015. He was selected in the H-1B lottery on his first attempt and went on to work in the US healthcare sector before joining Microsoft in Seattle. Speaking to the American Bazaar, he discussed his decision to leave a high-paying tech job and restart his professional journey in India.
Uncertainty in the H-1B System
Shetty pointed to growing uncertainty around the H-1B system, particularly travel disruptions and administrative delays that affected his ability to move freely between countries. "The recent H-1B upheaval and cancellation of interview slots has meant that the travel to and from the US is no longer straightforward for visa holders," he told the American Bazaar. This uncertainty became personal when his planned visit to India in January 2026 was disrupted after his appointment was rescheduled to 2027.
Family and Entrepreneurial Aspirations
Family circumstances also played a role in his decision, especially his father's health, making long periods away from home increasingly difficult. Beyond personal reasons, Shetty highlighted structural limits of being on an H-1B visa, particularly for those wanting to build companies. "I wanted to pursue my own business ventures which I could not do due to the constraints the H-1B visa comes with. All these reasons compounded together and it felt like the right time to move," he said. He added that he always viewed his stay in the US as temporary due to long green card backlogs, noting that there was no real pathway to a green card because of the EB-2 backlog.
Challenges and Emotional Strain
Shetty described his time in the US as professionally rewarding, but the complexity around immigration rules and job security created pressure, especially during industry layoffs and visa policy changes. "The number one reason would be travel fragility. After the $100k visa fee and social media vetting rules, the reality of H-1B life has changed and traveling has become a high-risk gamble," he said. Delays in visa appointments kept him from his family for extended periods. "My own visa appointment dates were pushed by a year, effectively barring me from visiting home and my parents for a year. Keeping my parents' health in mind, this kind of uncertainty is no longer the price I am willing to pay." He also pointed to the emotional strain of remaining tied to visa conditions: "Visa stress is real. The 60-day clock in the times of industry-wide layoffs is a pain. No professional should have to uproot their entire life in two months."
Decision to Return
Shetty said the decision did not happen suddenly but built up over time due to visa uncertainty, family needs, and his long-standing wish to start his own business. Despite stepping away from a high-profile role in the US tech industry, he has returned to India with a positive mindset and plans to build a startup. He chose to share his experience because many professionals face similar dilemmas but often struggle in silence while weighing stability against ambition.
