Navigating H-1B Visa Hurdles: An Amazon Engineer's Shift from U.S. Obsession to Global Empowerment in Tech

In an era of tightening U.S. immigration policies and persistent tech layoffs, one Amazon software engineer’s journey redefines the "American Dream." This as-told-to feature draws from an in-depth conversation with Wen-Hsing Huang, a 25-year-old software development engineer at Amazon from Taiwan, based in Seattle. Business Insider verified Huang’s employment and education through documentation. This narrative, refined for clarity and enriched with 2025 insights, reflects the latest H-1B visa changes, tech industry shifts, and global career paths.

A visual guide to the F-1 visa job opportunities and OPT program for STEM graduates, highlighting the path to green card sponsorship in tech industry amidst 2025 visa reforms

Huang’s story—from visa-driven anxiety to entrepreneurial liberation—resonates amid President Trump’s September 21, 2025, proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions, prioritizing higher-wage roles and restricting certain nonimmigrant entries. As senators scrutinize Big Tech’s H-1B reliance during layoffs, Huang’s pivot offers a roadmap for international tech workers seeking resilience beyond U.S. borders.

“I envisioned a $200,000 Big Tech career post-college,” Huang shares. “But I began questioning a visa-controlled future. Economic shifts, layoffs, policies—these were uncontrollable. My mindset was my power.”

Unfazed by H-1B changes, Huang sees them as growth catalysts. “My path forged resilience,” he says. “I focus on what I can shape amid uncertainty.”

For Huang, the “new American Dream” transcends U.S. residency. “It’s about leveraging skills, networks, and savings to build a visa-independent life,” he explains. His plan: return to Taiwan, launch a venture, and tap global markets with Taiwan’s lower costs and better healthcare. This aligns with rising opportunities for software engineers in Canada, Germany, and Singapore, where demand for AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity skills surges.

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Arriving Amid Tech Turmoil: The F-1 and OPT Gateway

Huang entered the U.S. on an F-1 student visa, aiming to study, secure Optional Practical Training (OPT)—offering up to three years of work for STEM graduates—and transition to H-1B or green card sponsorship.

His 2022 arrival coincided with layoffs at Meta, Twitter (now X), and others, making internships—key to full-time roles—scarce. By 2025, tech layoffs have cut over 150,000 jobs across 549 companies, leaving H-1B holders 60 days to find work or face deportation. Proposed OPT reforms, including fixed admission periods and potential cuts to extended work permits, add pressure for F-1 students.

Huang’s goal: secure a green card sponsor, rise to senior engineer, then pursue entrepreneurship with stability. In 2025, green card sponsorship thrives—Microsoft led with 1,832 PERM approvals, followed by Amazon and Apple—as firms fast-track processes to retain talent amid shortages.

A top graduate from Taiwan’s National Central University, Huang overcame language barriers to enter the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s master’s in computer science.

The Grind: Job Hunt Amid Debt and Despair

With a $100,000 parental loan, failure wasn’t an option. Post-graduation, Huang faced a 60-day job hunt deadline. “I went all-in: elevator pitches, career fairs, coding drills, relentless applications,” he recalls. Networking was critical for navigating H-1B stress and building U.S. tech connections.

“Mental health suffered, but it taught me life’s controllables,” Huang says. Success came via ASM in Arizona, then Amazon in September 2024. Seattle’s 2025 tech market, with 185,000 specialists, sees a 9.3% monthly job posting dip amid AI shifts and economic pressures, yet opportunities persist for skilled engineers.

From Fixation to Freedom: Releasing the U.S. Grip

Initially fixated on a green card, Huang feared visa denial. April 2025’s F-1 deportation news and a second H-1B lottery miss sparked insecurity. A Japan trip became his turning point: “I realized staying wasn’t everything.”

With one final H-1B chance before OPT expires, he’s at peace. H-1B applicants face intensified challenges: the $100,000 fee creates barriers, though wage prioritization aids some; legal battles loom.

“Stability’s an illusion,” Huang notes. “Layoffs strike anytime; AI threatens software roles.” Visa policies intertwine with careers, demanding urgency. STEM graduates can explore alternatives like O-1 (extraordinary ability), TN, E-3, or L-1 visas, especially post-H-1B cap.

Embracing the New Dream: Borders Fade in a Digital World

Visa constraints once stifled Huang: “Decisions hinged on status, not desires—I couldn’t risk entrepreneurship or travel freely.”

Now, he’ll stay at Amazon, save, then launch a Taiwan-based business. “The internet erases borders: U.S. registration, global clients, U.S.-level pay with Taiwan’s perks,” he says.

Grateful for his U.S. degree, Big Tech experience, and broadened perspective, Huang cherishes America’s spirit: “Talent trumps origins.” Leaving is “not failure—it’s liberation.”

2025 Insights: Strategies for International Tech Pros

• H-1B Shifts: Weighted selection favors high-skill/pay; $100K fee sparks chaos, potential lawsuits.
• Layoffs & Visas: 150K+ cuts; 60-day job hunt for holders; Senate probes Big Tech.
• Green Cards: Rising sponsorships; top firms: Microsoft (1,832), Amazon.
• Global Paths: Canada leads for software roles; focus AI, security.
• Resilience Tips: Network aggressively; explore O-1/EB-1A; prioritize mental health.

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