H1B, H4 Visa

Dear H-1B aspirants,

Please read my experience.
Every one feels like they got a million dollar lottery, when get a H-1B visa. (I accept it, even I was).
But, in real world its not so.

First let me explain about me.
I was for working for a MNC (I**) in India and my spouse was also working for another MNC (H**).
We both have 5 years of geniune experinece in Java/j2EE. We were getting around 80k per month in India.
If I might continued in that company only, I would have definitly get L-1.
But, I thought I would get more money with H-1B and filed visa with a consultancy in Apr, 2007.
It got picked in lottery and my visa was approved.

We both resigened to our jobs in India and came to US.
At that time only US job market was sinking.
We stayed in the Consultancy's guest house for 4 months.
After that I got job and continueing till now. Days are going ok.

I have applied H-1B for my spouse. But it didnot pick up in lottery. So my spouse has to stay at home only.

Now the days are really bad. I dont know when my employer would lay off.
If that happens, its really hard to get a job in this market.
I have friends who are on bench (for last 1 year, 6 months and 3 months Note: They have genuine indian IT experience also.)

If something goes wrong, we both have to come to India. I have to sell my car for loss.
Though we come to India, we cannot get jobs for both of us now immediately. (I know the job market in india also).

Yes, I accept that US is a land of opportunities. But, now the situation is different.
Most of the employers asking their employees to go India, if they are on bench.

This is not to discourage any one. But think twice before coming to US.

1) If you are working in India, better to stay there. At least you have job security and peace of mind.
2) If you dont have genuine experience, and you faked experience, you never get a job in this market.
   (Dont be over confident, I know the friends who are on bench for last one year and they are returning without earning a single $)

All of you should know that..
1) most of the Indian consultancies (ICs) dont pay on bench.
2) most of the ICs dont provide health insurance on bench (If you feel sick, you have to take over the counter medicine. Without insurance its a nightmare)
3) Its really hard to survive here without a car (But can manage)
4) You dont know when your employer will ask you to leave the company or to move to India.
5) You canot do any other work to survive, if you caught, you will be gone. (You are intended for IT jobs only.)
6) This is the fact that many ICs are not even filing H-1B for OPT candidates also.

I am not saying that every Indian Consultany is bad. But most of them are. (Fortunately my employer is good one).
But dont be in fools paradise.

Its your life, if you take a decision, you have to face everything (May be forture or may be misforture)
Be careful.

(Please take this a my experience, dont take it as a advice. Its up to you.)

-- H-1B holder.