NEW DELHI: Silicon Valley has asked its foreign employees to stay put in the United States to keep their jobs in the Trump era. Indian techies living and working in California—a longtime tech hub—who are eligible for transmutation to H1B visas from L1 are cancelling their summer trips home accordingly.
They fear that the travel ban will deprive them of both visas and jobs in spite of the federal court order overturning it. Two major airlines—both flying on the India-San Francisco route—have reported over 200 passengers cancelling their tickets to India in the last week alone. Indian techies are avoiding flying out to other countries either.
Their companies have also advised them to stay put in the US, quoting the strict Trumpist provisions in the visa interview process.
“Embassies/Consulates’ visa processing time is likely to increase for all applicants,” an advisory sent to employees of four companies said. Major companies situated in the Silicon Valley are Apple Inc, Cisco Systems, Google, Facebook, Hewlett-Packard etc. Their companies have mailed them that they should leave the US only in case of an emergency since entry into America has been tightened by the new government.
Companies in Silicon Valley are advising their employees not to travel out of the US unnecessarily. Over 200 such employees have cancelled their outbound flight tickets in California. An advisory issued by a tech major accessed by The Sunday Standard reads, “The vast majority of non-immigrants employed in the US (e.g., nationals of India, China, other Asian and European countries) should not be impacted. However, we recommend avoiding unnecessary international travel until this situation settles further. Additionally, due to the fact visa interviews will no longer be waived across the US.”
Project manager Diwesh (name changed), who was transferred by his company from Bengaluru to the US admitted cancelling travels plans for himself and his family after receiving the advisories. “I have applied for an L1 to H1B visa transfer but will not be travelling to India for the next six months. I have to change my visa status and get my passport stamped accordingly.
I have to interview for the visa first. Earlier, they used to be simple but now, chances that embassies/consulates will raise queries are more. It will take at least two months to get a US visa. My company may also ask me to stay on in India. I am worried that then I’ll lose my visa as well,” Diwesh said.