Visa approved but future remains uncertain

Madhur Mehta, 35, landed in Seattle in August 2021 with a master’s degree in science and business analytics, aiming to build a stable career and support his family in India. He achieved a significant milestone by landing a program manager role at Amazon, but the path to that position was marked by constant uncertainty regarding his immigration status. The journey has been described by Mehta as a race he never intended to run, characterized by a “survival mode” that has left little room for rest since his arrival.

The Visa Lottery and Career Plans

Mehta’s eligibility for Optional Practical Training was limited to three years because his degree fell under the STEM category. Finding an employer willing to sponsor an H-1B visa beyond that period proved difficult until he joined Amazon in 2025. As the company processed his petition, Mehta faced a changing regulatory environment. The government introduced a new lottery system placing candidates into four wage-level categories, a shift that increased the odds for those in higher tiers. Concerned that he might be outpaced by other applicants, Mehta began developing contingency plans. He explored alternative pathways like the EB-1A “extraordinary ability” visa and considered relocating to Canada or Australia. When the email finally arrived in March confirming his selection, the relief was immediate. Mehta described the moment as having a 100-pound weight lifted from his mind, allowing him to remain in the US for another three years.

Despite the win, the stakes remain high. If the government alters the rules again, Mehta warns it could “flip his life.” The precarious nature of the visa system also complicates personal milestones. He got engaged in July 2025 to a fiancée from India who has one remaining attempt in the H-1B lottery before her work authorization expires. If she is not selected, she may have to rely on an H-4 dependent visa, which does not automatically grant work authorization. This uncertainty forces them to postpone major life decisions, such as buying a house, and limits their ability to travel outside the country.

Amazon confirmed that Mehta is employed by the company, though the firm did not respond to a request for comment. While Mehta remains committed to the US, the lack of stability has led some long-term residents to remain in rental apartments rather than purchase property. Friends with over a decade of tenure in the country have found themselves unable to fully settle down due to the fear of sudden policy changes. For Mehta, the trade-off between the professional opportunities available in the US tech sector and the administrative stress of the visa process remains a difficult balance to strike. He still plans to pursue the EB-1A visa to gain more stability, but until that application is processed, he continues to handle the complexities of working and living in a country where his legal status is tied to a lottery.