I had a good first-round conversation with the hiring manager — we discussed the role, expectations, and my past projects in depth. The manager was professional and thorough. However, after advancing me to the second round, the recruiter informed me that the company does not sponsor H1B visas. This is something that should have been clarified at the very beginning of the process, not after rounds of interviews. As a candidate, it was disappointing to invest time and preparation only to be rejected for a factor that should have been addressed in the very first recruiter screen. The lack of upfront clarity wasted both my time and the hiring manager’s time. Recruiters should ensure basic eligibility (like work authorization) is confirmed before moving candidates forward.