An Indian H-1B worker says he was asked to pay to keep his job.
👉 According to a lawsuit filed in Texas, he was pressured to make payments after being placed on the company's bench without active project work.
👉 Being "on the bench" means an employee is not assigned to a client project but remains employed by the company.
He completed his master's degree in the US in 2023 and later obtained an H-1B job through the company.
👉 The H-1B visa allows US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialized occupations.
The lawsuit claims he was told that if he didn't pay, he could lose his immigration status and face problems staying in the United States.
👉 Employers cannot legally require H-1B workers to pay for maintaining employment or visa status.
For many H-1B workers, losing a job can also mean losing the ability to remain in the US legally.
👉 Most H-1B workers generally have a limited grace period after job loss to find a new employer, change status, or leave the US.
So, he paid around $8,800 to keep his job and visa status.
The lawsuit also alleges that company officials withheld employment records and made threats involving his family.
👉 These are allegations made in the lawsuit and have not been proven in court.
Now he's seeking more than $97,000 in unpaid wages and damages.
However, the allegations have not been proven in court yet.
⚠️ Important: A lawsuit contains claims by one side. The court process will determine whether those claims are substantiated.
If you know someone working on H-1B, send them this.
👉 Key takeaway: H-1B workers should understand their rights, keep copies of employment documents, and seek legal guidance if they face threats, unlawful payment demands, or immigration-related coercion.
The more informed you are, the harder it is for someone to take advantage of you.
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Do you need to go back to India when your F-1 visa expires?
Let's say your F-1 visa expires in July 2026.
But your STEM OPT is valid through 2027 or 2028.
Many people assume that means they need to travel to India and renew their visa right away.
Not necessarily.
Your visa and your status are two different things:
• Visa = permission to enter the US
• Status = permission to stay and work in the US
So if your:
• STEM OPT is valid
• I-20 is valid
• EAD is valid
You can continue living and working in the US even after your visa stamp expires.
The expired visa only becomes an issue if you leave the US and need to re-enter.
That's why it's important to plan your travel carefully and understand your options before booking international trips.
And by the way, I'm not an immigration lawyer.
But I host live sessions with an immigration lawyer every Wednesday, where we answer questions like these and discuss the latest immigration updates.
Comment "webinar" below, and I'll send you the link to the next session.
Imagine landing your dream job, building your life in the U.S., and then not getting selected in the H-1B lottery.
For many, that feels like the end of the road.
But there are lesser-known options like Cap-Exempt H-1B and Concurrent H-1B that may allow you to keep working and stay on track with your career goals.
We're hosting a free masterclass with an expert who has helped 1,000+ professionals explore these pathways.
Comment "CAP" below and I'll send the link straight to your DM.
I spent the last 7 days scrolling LinkedIn as a job seeker.
Not as a content creator. Not as someone running an accelerator. Just as someone looking for work.
Here is what my feed looked like.
Career coaches promising jobs in 30 days.
People celebrating new offers.
Founders quitting their jobs to chase a dream.
Success story after success story.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, I started feeling smaller.
I caught myself thinking maybe I am doing something wrong. Maybe everyone else knows something I do not. Maybe I am falling behind.
Then I remembered. I have more than 500 students in my accelerator right now. Thousands have gone through it. Many of them are struggling to even get an interview call.
If I felt this way after just 7 days, what are they going through every single day?
The comparison trap is real.
You see someone land a job in 30 days and think your 6-month search means you are broken.
You see someone announce they are quitting to start a company and wonder why you cannot even get a callback.
You scroll and scroll and feel like everyone is moving except you.
But here is what I want you to know.
Most people are not posting their rejections.
Most people are not sharing how many applications went nowhere.
Most people are not talking about the months of silence.
LinkedIn shows you the highlight reel. Not the full game.
So if you are applying and hearing nothing, you are not alone.
If you are networking and feeling like you are behind, you are not alone.
If you are doing everything right and still waiting, you are not alone.
Do not beat yourself up.
Do not compare your chapter 2 to someone else's chapter 10.
The job search is hard. The silence is brutal. And you are doing better than you think.
Keep going.
Are you feeling same way?
Your H-1B got approved. But your resume could still cause a visa denial.
Let's say your actual job title wasn't very technical.
So when updating your resume, you changed it to something that sounded more technical.
Now your H-1B is approved and you're filling out your DS-160.
Should you use that title? The short answer is no.
If that title doesn't exist in company records, don't use it on your visa application.
Use your actual title.
The exception is when your company officially uses two different titles.
For example, an internal HR title and a public-facing title.
If both appear on company documents, either one may be fine.
But here's why this matters.
Visa officers may compare your resume, LinkedIn profile, and immigration paperwork.
And if the information doesn't match, they may ask questions about it.
Before your interview, make sure everything is accurate and consistent.
Save this so you don't forget to review your documents before visa stamping.
By the way I’m not an immigration lawyer but I do weekly free live sessions with an immigration lawyer. comment webinar to join my next immigration session
Comment “F1” to get the detailed video with a lawyer.
F1 students — this is important. The duration of status rule has White House approval, but the final rule is still not published yet. In this conversation with Henry, we break down what’s confirmed, what’s still unclear, and what the proposed changes could mean for OPT, travel, transfers, PhD students, and Fall 2026 planning.
A lot of information online right now is based on the proposed rule, not the final published version, so it’s important not to panic or make decisions too early.
Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer, and this content is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Please consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice about your specific situation.
StudentVisa I94 F1VisaNews
Rejected from the H-1B lottery 3 times.
Most people would have packed their bags.
Instead, he found another path.
✅ Master’s from NC State
✅ Software Engineer
✅ 3 failed H-1B attempts
✅ Approved for an O-1 visa with just 1 month left
The biggest surprise?
He didn’t think he qualified for O-1 at first.
Watch this story and see how he made it happen 👇
Comment “O1” and I’ll send you the link to learn more.
This couple moved back to India from the U.S - even after earning $400,000 a year
So, I recently spoke to 9 people who moved back to India after spending years in America - including this couple
This couple had 6 years of U.S savings and now earns about ₹1.5 crores in Bangalore, but what they talked about most wasn't money.
It was family, community, and having people around when life got hard.
You see, when you're in your 20s, the question is: "Where can I earn more?"
But in your 30s, the question quietly becomes: "Where can I live better?"
what you feel like freedom when you move here, quietly becomes exhausting over the years.
So, don’t ask which country is better but analyse Which country gives you the life you want right now?
If you've lived in both India and the US, share your experience in the comment section.
This weird birthday tradition in America confused me as an Indian.
So, In India, if it’s your birthday, you are the one expected to throw the party.
But in America, Your friends take YOU out because it’s your birthday and they want to celebrate you.
The first time this happened to me, I was so confused because my boss Joel took me out to a fancy restaurant for my birthday And he paid for everything..
Also, In India, when someone gives you a gift, you usually take it home and open it privately later.
But in America, People expect you to open the gift RIGHT there in front of them.
it was kind of weird but I found it really sweet.
Have you experienced culture shocks like this in the U.S. or another country?
Drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear your story.
New B1/B2 Visa Rule 👀
Pay $750 and get an appointment within 10 days?
Not so fast.
This is a pilot program, not a guaranteed fast-track for everyone.
Availability depends on the consulate, and many people are misunderstanding how it works.
Watch this clip
Comment “B1” and I’ll send you detail video👇
DISCLAIMER: The content provided is for informational purposes ONLY and should not be construed as legal advice. I am not a licensed attorney, and therefore, I do not have the authority to provide legal guidance on immigration matters. Any information shared is based on my personal experience, research, and understanding of the topic.
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