US Immigration Experts Issue Critical Travel Warning for H-1B Visa Holders
Amid ongoing volatility in the US visa processing system, immigration experts are issuing urgent warnings to H-1B visa holders regarding international travel. The consistent advice from multiple immigration attorneys is clear: H-1B visa holders should avoid traveling outside the United States entirely until the current visa stamping situation stabilizes.
Specific Travel Guidelines from Immigration Experts
In a detailed podcast addressing travel concerns, prominent immigration lawyer Rahul Reddy provided specific guidance for H-1B visa holders. "It is risk-free to travel anywhere within the United States," Reddy emphasized, "but any travel plan that involves a flight stopping outside the US first should be avoided completely."
Reddy clarified that travel to US territories like Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Hawaii is acceptable, but only if the flight remains entirely within US airspace. He provided concrete examples to illustrate the distinction:
- A flight from Houston to Miami to Puerto Rico is perfectly acceptable
- A flight from Miami to Mexico City to Puerto Rico is absolutely prohibited
- Travel to Alaska or Hawaii is fine if direct, but not if routed through Canada first
The Root Cause: Visa Stamping Delays and Social Media Vetting
The travel warnings stem from significant disruptions in the visa stamping process that began in December 2025. Thousands of H-1B visa holders who traveled to India for fresh visa stamping found themselves stranded when their interview slots were unexpectedly deferred to 2026.
This disruption coincided with the US State Department's implementation of enhanced social media vetting procedures starting December 15, 2025. Under this new protocol, H-1B visa applicants and their dependents must declare all their social media handles for consular officers to review before approving applications.
The time-consuming nature of this social media vetting process has created a cascading effect throughout the visa processing system. Consular offices in India randomly rescheduled all December appointments, and this backlog has continued to impact appointments scheduled for January and February, with some being pushed as far back as 2017 according to reports.
Critical Implications for H-1B Visa Holders
The situation creates a precarious position for H-1B visa holders. While they can remain in the US with valid extensions without needing fresh stamping, once they leave the country, they cannot re-enter without the new visa stamp. This fundamental restriction makes international travel extremely risky under current conditions.
Comprehensive Travel Advice from Immigration Professionals
Immigration experts have consolidated their recommendations into clear guidelines:
- Avoid all international travel outside the United States
- Do not book flights that travel to another country before reaching a US territory
- Green Card holders may travel internationally but should limit trips to under 180 days
- When traveling within the US, verify that flights remain entirely within US airspace
- Consult with immigration attorneys before making any travel decisions
The current situation highlights the importance of careful planning for H-1B visa holders and underscores how policy changes can create significant practical challenges for foreign workers in the United States.
