H-1B Crisis: No Sponsorship for OPT Workers

Indian students in the US are facing new hurdles on their road to American Dream. A new experience from an OPT employee echoes this horror of the whole community.

Taking to social media, a techie revealed that, due to an internal company policy, they would have to wait until 2026 for their employer to sponsor their H-1B visa. The first-year OPT student was hired in November 2024, and as per their company, it would only sponsor employees who have worked with them for a year.

As the date for applying for the H-1B lottery is approaching, they will surely miss out this year if they stick with their current employer. Looking for other ways, the immigrant student asked, “Can I find another employer to file my H1B pick and if it gets picked can I ask my current employer to let them be my H1 filed company as my employer.”

In the current environment, more US companies are stepping back from hiring international students as they fear visa uncertainties and the complications of sponsorship. This means many students will miss the H-1B lottery this year.

As the user asked, trying to find another employer to file their H-1B is the only choice. But even if selected, transferring back to their current job is not always simple.

Without sponsorship, many will be forced to leave the US despite having the skills. Amidst all this, aspiring Indian students should seriously consider if America is still the land of opportunities it once was.