H-1B visa holder leaves USA after a decade, says move back to India was inevitable

An Indian techie explained why he had to return to India after a decade in USA

A software professional who spent over ten years working in the United States has shared why he chose to return to India, saying the decision was shaped by emotional isolation, family priorities and prolonged uncertainty under the H-1B visa system rather than by professional setbacks.

Speaking on the Desi Return, Ravi said life in the US began to feel increasingly hollow despite career stability and financial comfort. “On paper, everything looked perfect. I had a good job and a steady income, but emotionally it wasn’t fulfilling,” he said.

Ravi explained that the shift began around the COVID-19 period, when his social circle slowly disappeared. “Before COVID, I had friends living close by. After that, people got married, moved cities or just drifted away,” he said. “What started as a short phase of loneliness slowly became permanent.”

According to him, marriage and parenthood only intensified the feeling of being uprooted. “I realised I was physically in the US but mentally never settled there,” Ravi said. The distance from his parents in India troubled him deeply. “Parents age fast, kids grow fast, and the gap between grandparents and grandchildren kept increasing. That reality started hitting us hard,” he said.

Immigration challenges played an equally important role. Ravi, who was on an H-1B visa, spoke candidly about the uncertainty surrounding permanent residency. “If someone’s goal is to settle permanently, I honestly wouldn’t recommend the US,” he said. “For Indians, the green card wait time is around 150 to 190 years. That kind of timeline doesn’t allow you to plan your life.”

He also spoke about the psychological toll of being treated as temporary labour. “You always feel like you’re replaceable,” Ravi said, adding that he experienced “silent discrimination” and limited professional freedom due to visa restrictions. “Four years of my career passed before my I-140 even started,” he said.

One incident proved decisive. “I was offered a high-paying role, but it was taken back because the company didn’t have enough time to complete visa approvals,” he said. “That moment made me realise how stuck I was.”