“HR Withdraws H-1B Visa”: Foreign Student in the U.S. Faces Job Scam

For any student in the U.S., securing an H-1B visa is a major milestone, allowing them to work legally in the country for up to three years. However, a recent incident highlights how vulnerable foreign students can be to corporate decisions that jeopardize their future.

A foreign student shared his ordeal on Reddit under the title “HR Withdrawn My H-1B Visa”. The student, working on OPT, had been offered sponsorship for an H-1B visa by his employer. In 2024, he joined the company as a Sales Enablement Coordinator, a role aligned with his master’s degree in marketing. By April 2025, the company confirmed it would file his H-1B petition.

Sudden Job Demotion
The student explained that he was performing well, preparing collaterals, internal intranet content, and conference materials. However, in July 2025, due to management changes, he was abruptly reassigned to a Marketing Coordinator position. The transition came with no planning or explanation, and the new role lacked a clear job description or responsibilities. While it felt like a demotion, the student continued working, believing his job—and the pending H-1B—remained secure.

H-1B Petition Withdrawn
In December 2025, the company’s HR informed the student that his H-1B petition was being withdrawn. The reason given was the “risk of rejection,” as his new role did not qualify for H-1B sponsorship. The student wrote, “They decided to withdraw my H-1B application despite the risk of rejection because my new job was not eligible for a visa. I was informed with only two weeks left, and if I do not secure another job within 60 days, I must leave the U.S. permanently.”

This incident underscores the precarious situation of foreign students in the U.S., who often rely on employer sponsorship for their career and residency plans. Sudden changes in job roles or visa sponsorship can have life-altering consequences, leaving students with very limited options.

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