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Are H-1B visa holders comfortable travelling abroad?
We spoke to the Indian American community to learn more about their current travel sentiments. Here’s what they had to say.
Representative Image / Pexels
Presently, immigration lawyers in the United States are advising Indian nationals, including H-1B visa holders, international students, and even green card holders, to not travel outside the country, unless absolutely necessary. Although India is not on any proposed travel ban list, travelers are facing massive delays in visa stamping, tighter security checks, and even detention at airports in the United States.
Visa stamping processes are experiencing significant backlogs at both ports of entry and American embassies and consulates. Application and documentation reviews are now subject to additional scrutiny, which is resulting unprecedented delays. We spoke to the Indian American community to learn if they are currently comfortable travelling abroad. Here’s what they had to say.
“Currently, in Los Angeles, there is a sense of fear due to the current administration’s immigration policies. My hairstylist who is from the Hispanic community told me that her community members are very afraid. While I am on a H-1B visa and have all my documents in order, my immigration attorney has advised me to stay in the country for the next few months to avoid any unnecessary troubles. I was planning to travel to Europe this summer. However, to be on the safe side, I have decided to travel within the United States, instead,” mentioned Neha Chawla, a Los Angeles-based movie producer.
“While I hold a valid visa, the general climate has made me hesitant to book any non-essential international trips. I’ve heard stories of even long-term residents facing increased checks upon re-entry, and I just don’t want to risk being detained or delayed. My family and I are choosing to travel domestically for the foreseeable future,” stated Aditi Patel, a Silicon Valley software engineer.
“I’m currently on the H-1B visa and have to travel internationally quite often for work, which hasn’t changed. I’ve been advised to carry additional documents, which I have been and I haven’t had any issues yet. India is not on the proposed travel ban, so I’m hoping there will not be any issues for us going forward,” concluded Neil Mehta, a New York City-based investment banker.
If you do have to travel abroad, United States immigration attorneys are advising individuals to make sure to carry the following documents:
- Passport from home country
- Valid Green Card (Form I-551)
- Valid and unexpired H-1B or F-1 visa
- US Re-Entry Permit (if applicable)
- Employment verification letter
- W-2 form and proof of federal income tax payment
- Recent payslips
- Letter from college/university (for F-1 visa holders)
- U.S. bank account statements
- U.S. driver's license
For visa holders who are travelling to India to get their H-1B visa renewed, lawyers are advising them to have contingency plans in case of delayed stamping such as continuing work from India.
Therefore, given the current situation, it’s advisable for H-1B visa holders to be extra careful and travel abroad only if it is absolutely essential.
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