H-1B Visa Holders Urged to Avoid Travel to India as U.S. Delays Spark Job Concerns

Washington/New Delhi: Indian H-1B visa holders are facing fresh uncertainty as the U.S. government postpones visa interviews in India until March-April 2026, leaving many workers unable to return to their jobs in the United States. Immigration experts are advising H-1B holders to avoid traveling to India and remain in the U.S. to safeguard their employment.

The delays, affecting interviews originally scheduled for December, have left hundreds of Indian professionals in limbo. “H-1B employees traveling abroad without valid visa stamping risk losing their jobs and being separated from their families,” warned immigration expert Rahul Reddy, founder partner of Reddy Newman Brown PC.

Risk of Job Loss
Reddy explained that U.S. employers cannot keep H-1B positions vacant for more than six months, and many companies are legally unable to permit work from outside the United States. “If an H-1B holder travels now, they could face unemployment rather than returning to work,” he said.

Immigration attorney Rebecca Chen also urged visa holders, including those who have not yet received interview notices, to postpone travel to India. Those already in India and needing visa stamping have no choice but to wait for the process to resume.

Visa Stamping Essential for Re-entry
Experts emphasized that re-entry to the U.S. requires valid visa stamping. Delays in interviews are impacting the ability of many Indian professionals to renew their H-1B visas, affecting both their personal lives and careers. Families planning to travel are particularly at risk, with potential disruptions in employment and separation from loved ones.

This development highlights the precarious position of H-1B holders amid administrative delays, underscoring the need for caution in international travel until the U.S. visa process stabilizes.