Наталя Хандусенко Work 26 September 2025, 15:03

A Taiwanese programmer was obsessed with staying in the US and planned his career for 20 years. But now he doesn't want his professional life to depend on H-1B visas.

Wen-Hsing Huang moved from Taiwan to the United States on an F-1 student visa in 2022. The 25-year-old software engineer now works at Amazon. After being denied an H-1B visa twice, and Trump's new policies added to that, the IT professional decided to radically change his professional plans. Now he has a new American dream, which he will realize in his homeland.

Aitivets developed a career development plan that was to end with retirement at 40 years old

The plan was to come to the U.S. on an F-1 visa, study, and work under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work for a year after graduation — or up to three years if working in STEM. It's a common way for international students to start their careers in the U.S.

Wen-Sing then planned to get a job with a company that would issue him a green card, so he could work full-time for five years, rise to senior software engineer, and then start his own business. He then wanted to work another 10–20 years, become financially independent, retire early (FIRE) and leave his job at 40.

To accomplish his goal, Wen-Hsing graduated with honors from National Central University in Taiwan. Then, he borrowed $100,000 from his parents to study in the United States.

After completing the program, the IT guy got a job at ASM, a semiconductor manufacturing company in Arizona. Six months later, in September 2024, he joined Amazon, where he still works.

"I don't want to sacrifice my 20s trying to achieve this vague and illusory American dream."

Wen-Sing has failed the H-1B selection process twice. But back in April, he thought he would have a chance next year before the Donald Trump administration introduced a $100,000 fee .

“Now my plan is different. I will continue working at Amazon for a while longer, save money, and return to Taiwan to start my own business. With the internet, borders don’t matter. I can register a company in the US, serve a global customer base, and earn income at the US level, while enjoying a lower cost of living and better healthcare in Taiwan,” said Wen-Hsing.

According to the IT guy, the new American dream isn't about staying in America; it's about using the skills, networks, and savings you build there to create a life that's free from visas, layoffs, or politics. For Wen-Sing, that means returning home, building your own business, and enjoying your freedom.

"Despite the difficult process, I am still very grateful for the time I spent in America. I received a degree, gained experience at large technology companies, broadened my horizons, and learned the most important life lessons: resilience — staying strong in the midst of uncertainty — and finding your true values. I don't give advice to others; everyone has their own priorities. But for me, leaving the US is not a failure. It is freedom," the programmer concluded.

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