Data scientist leaves New York job for India due to H-1B visa constraints

H-1B visa data scientist brain drain immigration restrictions employment flexibility

Disha Lamba, a 28-year-old data scientist, has relocated from New York to Gurugram, India, citing H-1B visa restrictions and a desire to be closer to her family as primary motivations for her departure.

Lamba, who moved to the United States in 2021 to pursue a master’s degree in computer engineering at New York University, held a six-figure position at CVS Health. While she credited her time in New York with fostering professional ambition and personal independence, she noted that the H-1B visa system presented significant challenges. These included complexities regarding international travel, visa stamping requirements, and limitations on changing employers or taking career breaks.

Upon returning to India in May 2026, Lamba noted that the local environment offers greater flexibility for pursuing side ventures and career transitions, which she felt would have been riskier under the constraints of her previous visa status.

Entities

CVS Health · Disha Lamba · New York University

Sources

Indian data scientist leaves six-figure New York job, returns to India over H-1B constraints [americanbazaaronline.com]

23 days ago

I left New York and a six-figure job to move back to India. H-1B restrictions made it easier to walk away. [www.businessinsider.com]

24 days ago