Amid growing concerns over U.S. immigration policies, several American tech firms are advising employees on H-1B visas to avoid international travel. Fears are rising that they may face difficulty re-entering the country due to changing regulations. Indian tech professionals, who make up the majority of H-1B holders, are experiencing increased uncertainty.
The H-1B visa program allows around 65,000 skilled foreign workers annually through a lottery system. Indian, Chinese, and Canadian professionals dominate recipient numbers. Major tech companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple rely heavily on this program to hire top talent.
Two Indian H-1B holders recently shared how travel fears forced them to cancel trips to India. One even expressed concerns over citizenship rights for future children. Legal experts have noted increased stress among visa holders, who often feel wrongly viewed as undocumented. Many now carry extensive documentation, and employers are speeding up visa processing at their own expense to reduce stress and delays.
The situation is directly affecting tech workforce productivity. IT firms such as Infosys and Cognizant lead in H-1B filings. A Silicon Valley HR executive stated that the constant fear of policy changes is harming employee focus and morale. During the Trump administration, skilled visa denial rates jumped to 15%, and there are concerns similar patterns may return.
For Indian workers, obtaining a Green Card remains a major challenge due to country-based quotas, with some waiting decades. Aravind Srinivas, CEO of a leading AI firm, revealed he has waited over three years for permanent residency, despite leading a billion-dollar company.
While some policymakers have spoken positively about skilled immigrants, shifting immigration trends continue creating anxiety among employers and talent alike.
