After being selected in the H-1B lottery this year on his first attempt, an Indian computer science graduate finds himself at a crucial crossroads. Currently back in India with a pending STEM OPT application, the tech worker is weighing his next move carefully amid job market uncertainty and shifting U.S. immigration dynamics.
Having worked on a C2C (Corp-to-Corp) basis, his current contract is set to end in July, with no confirmed opportunities on the horizon. Although his employer is encouraging him to return to the U.S. to pursue a Change of Status (COS) route — citing easier management and a lower risk of rejection — he’s hesitant to re-enter the country without a solid job offer.
“I’ve moved back to India, but now I’m being told COS is better than consular,” he wrote in a Reddit post seeking community advice. “But returning to the U.S. without work feels risky.”
With his H-1B petition approved, the candidate is also considering consular processing, which would involve attending a visa interview at a U.S. consulate in India. However, that too comes with its own set of risks — especially amid stricter visa scrutiny and procedural delays.
A third option under consideration involves traveling back to the U.S. temporarily (under OPT), filing for a change from consular to COS, and then returning to India while the petition is processed — a complex maneuver with uncertain outcomes.
Immigration experts say both COS and consular processing have pros and cons, largely depending on employment certainty, location, and timing.
“Without a confirmed job, COS may offer procedural ease but increases risk if the role dissolves mid-process,” said a Reddit user.
For now, the decision remains deeply personal — balancing legal strategy, job prospects, and long-term goals.