Former Visa Employee Abandons US H-1B Visa Pursuit

Shreya Mishra Reddy, a former employee of Visa and 2022 Duke University graduate, has decided to stop pursuing H-1B visa opportunities in the United States. Reddy left the U.S. in January 2026 following the expiration of her student work authorization.

Reddy cites the uncertainty of a proposed $100,000 fee for companies hiring H-1B employees from outside the U.S. as a primary driver for her decision. Although the fee is currently being challenged in court and is not enforced, the potential cost influenced her to decline an admission offer from the University of Pennsylvania due to concerns over visa stability and the U.S. job market.

Currently in Toronto on a tourist visa, Reddy is considering whether to settle in Canada or return to India. She noted that the startup industry is booming in Indian cities such as Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, stating that "Not getting a job in the US is not the end of the world."