A couple of medical technicians are considering moving to Dubai from the US due to the long wait for a green card.
As H-1B visa stamping in India continues to be delayed, narratives of how Indians remain stuck in India or unable to travel to India, even during family emergencies, abound on social media platforms.
After an Indian man shared the heartbreaking situation of not being able to visit his mother in India before her death, a techno-doctor couple shared how they are considering moving to Dubai. Their story was shared by immigration analyst Sam Beck who did not reveal their names and took their permission before sharing their situation on social media.The man is a technician who has been working in the United States for more than a decade, and his wife is a prominent cardiologist at a high-profile hospital on the East Coast.
The technician said he received a national interest waiver, which means his work is so important to the United States that he qualifies for a green card faster without having to sponsor an employer — because he is an asset to the state, not just any specific company.Although this NIW makes him eligible for the faster green card, he is stuck in a long waiting list “because of the way the system is backed up.”
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“My wife is in a similar boat, which is real. She’s an elite cardiologist at a top-tier hospital on the East Coast.
She has published a lot of research and is a superstar in the field of heart health, but she has not been able to come home to see her family with her dog in over three years. “Every time you think about leaving, the nightmare of trying to get an appointment for a visa to return keeps us cold,” the technician wrote, adding how they believe in the American dream and how his doctor wife has to swear an oath of loyalty just to do her job.“But honestly, we’re just exhausted. Being told you’re essential but being treated like you’re temporary wears you out.”
We have reached the point where we are seriously considering moving to Dubai. “It sucks to leave when you love the values here, but we can’t put off our lives and ability to see family for another decade,” the man wrote.
Why H-1B holders in the US cannot visit India
H-1B visa holders in the United States get a stamp on their passport, which is required to enter the United States. The validity of this stamp is approximately three years, which corresponds to the validity of their H-1B visa. After three years, for example, their visa is extended but the stamp remains expired. The new stamp can only be made at consulates in the country of origin. Many H-1B visa holders continue to remain in the United States with an expired stamp as the stamp is only necessary for re-entry into the United States and thus they do not leave the country.
Before visiting India, they usually get an appointment at the consulate to get a new stamp. But since December 2025, there has been a crisis regarding the delay in sealing as all the dates have been rescheduled and the appointments are only open in 2027.
