I've spent 5 years building a life in the US. Even with an H-1B, I don't feel secure enough to buy a home or start a family.

Madhur Mehta received an H-1B approval in 2026.

Courtesy of Madhur Mehta Madhur Mehta moved to the US in 2021.

The last five years have taken a toll on him.

After the government changed the H-1B lottery selection process , he made Plan B's in case he wasn't picked.

His H-1B petition was approved in 2026, but he still feels like he can't plan ahead.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Madhur Mehta, 35, an Indian national living in Seattle and working at Amazon.

The following has been edited for length and clarity.

When I came to the US for my master's degree in August 2021, my goal was to have a stable career and join a good company.

I wanted to grow professionally and personally, and support my family back home in India .

After five years in the US, I've achieved a lot, including landing a program manager role at Amazon .

But the journey has taken an emotional toll I never expected, from being far away from family to dealing with visa uncertainty.

From the day I landed in the US, it felt like I was in a race I didn't want to come last in.

I've been in survival mode ever since, and I don't feel like I've rested once.

This is part of our ongoing coverage of how the Trump administration's H-1B visa changes affect workers.