I Moved Back to India to Be Near Family and Leave H-1B Limits Behind

Key Points:

• Disha Lamba, originally from India, pursued a master's in computer engineering at NYU in 2021, where she gained confidence, ambition, and opportunities in data science, eventually securing a role at CVS Health in 2024.
• Despite professional success and a six-figure salary in New York, Disha decided to return to India in 2026 to be closer to family and due to frustrations with H-1B visa restrictions, which complicated travel, job changes, and career flexibility.
• Back in Gurugram, India, she appreciates the freedom to explore career options without visa constraints, including starting a business or side hustles, and values the comfort of family life and domestic help.
• While she misses aspects of life in New York, such as the urban environment and skyline, she finds fulfillment in daily family interactions and the simpler lifestyle at home, reaffirming her decision despite occasional doubts.
• The U.S. State Department emphasized rigorous visa vetting processes at embassies worldwide, including India, amid ongoing visa-related challenges faced by foreign workers like Disha.