Thanksgiving H-1B Travel: Re-entry Rules, Docs, and $100k Proclamation

U.S. consular posts overseas are trimming hours around Thanksgiving while a new presidential proclamation adds fresh costs for some future H‑1B entries, prompting immigration lawyers and employers to urge H‑1B visa workers and H‑4 families to plan holiday travel with unusual care this November. The warnings are most urgent for people who need visa stamping or face time‑sensitive changes in jobs or petitions, as reduced operations and appointment backlogs can stretch a short trip into weeks away from work.

For those flying domestically within the United States, the message is more straightforward: carry reliable ID and keep digital copies of core immigration papers handy. Expect the biggest friction at international borders and consulates. With consulate appointments already tight in India and Canada, and re‑entry documentation under closer scrutiny at airports, the holiday rush is colliding with policy shifts that can complicate a return to work after the break.

Consulate staffing, appointment backlogs, and timing risks

Officials say Thanksgiving closures at U.S. missions in India, the U.K., and Canada will overlap with local public holidays and skeleton staffing, creating fewer interview slots and slower movement on pending cases. That means travelers who need a new H‑1B visa stamp are cutting it close if they depart in late November without secured appointments.

• Many consulates announce slowdowns weeks in advance, but available dates often push into December or beyond, turning a family visit into an extended absence.
• Administrative processing under section 221(g) tends to move more slowly during the period.
• Practical takeaway: If you rely on consulate stamping to get back to your job, confirm the appointment first and have a backup plan if your case lands in extra review.

New presidential proclamation — supplemental fee and its scope

A presidential proclamation effective September 21, 2025 established a new supplemental fee of $100,000 for certain new H‑1B petitions filed on or after that date for workers outside the country who seek to enter or re‑enter.

• This fee is narrow in scope but adds a costly hurdle for cases filed after the deadline.
• According to VisaVerge.com analysis:
  • Travelers with H‑1B petitions filed before September 21, 2025 and those with valid H‑1B visas issued before that date are not covered.
  • H‑4 dependents are not subject to the fee.
  • Workers already present in the U.S. with ongoing H‑1B status are not affected for ordinary travel or status extensions.
• Implication: For those outside the country tied to a petition filed on or after September 21 without a current visa, international travel during Thanksgiving week carries extra risk if an urgent return is needed.

Seasonal patterns and employer responses

The last half of November compresses consulate calendars and leaves fewer windows for first‑time stamping or renewals. Even with interview‑waiver “drop‑box” options in some posts, availability swings in the days leading up to the holiday and soon after.

• Employers increasingly treat Thanksgiving as a “blackout” period for nonessential travel that relies on consular processing.
• Many HR teams now:
  • Remind H‑1B staff to confirm visa validity and passport expiration.
  • Request updated employment letters at least two weeks before departure.
  • Provide “travel readiness” packets (letter templates, pay stub retrieval instructions, CBP Q&A).
• Finance and mobility teams are also rethinking hiring and filing timelines because of the new supplemental fee.

Re-entry documentation for CBP — what matters most

For H‑1B workers who are not seeking stamping and only need to clear CBP on return, the decisive elements are documentation and consistency.

Essential items CBP officers routinely request:
– Current passport valid at least six months beyond the intended entry date.
– Valid H‑1B visa in the passport (if required).
– Most recent Form I-797 Approval Notice tied to the job.
– Employer letter confirming active employment and pay (dated within 30 days of travel).
– Recent pay stubs (often the last three months).

Additional notes:
– Short, high‑volume holiday windows increase the odds that missing documents cause delays at secondary inspection.
– A concise company letter and clear pay history make entry smoother—especially for client‑site or hybrid roles.
– For H‑4 dependents: valid H‑4 visa and passport, copies of the principal’s Form I‑797 and employer letter, and H‑4 EAD card and pay slips if applicable.

“Consistency with the details in the petition matters more than polished phrasing.” — CBP practices summarized

On‑the‑spot checks and post‑arrival actions

At the counter, CBP officers commonly ask:
– Who is your employer?
– What is your job title?
– Where do you work?
– What do you do day‑to‑day?
– How long have you been in the role?

Travelers with recent job changes should carry:
– New offer letter
– LCA
– Receipt for any transfer petition

After admission, check the digital I‑94 record immediately:
– The admit‑until date should align with the petition’s validity.
– If it does not, contact CBP Deferred Inspection to request a correction.
– Correcting I‑94 mismatches early prevents issues with status, driver’s licenses, and payroll.

Practical habit: Block 10 minutes after return to download a PDF of the updated I‑94 for personal files.

Pending extensions, amendments, and travel risks

Travel during a pending H‑1B extension, amendment, or change of employer is risky:

• If an extension is pending but the current petition remains valid, staying in the U.S. is usually safer.
• Leaving during a pending change of employer or amendment can be treated as abandoning the portion of the filing that deals with the change.
• Without an approved Form I‑797 for the new period/position, visa stamping may be unavailable and entry could be denied.
• Attorneys advise avoiding international travel until:
  1. The new approval notice arrives.
  2. Any necessary visa stamping is complete.

The short holiday window leaves little room to fix problems that emerge at the consulate or airport.

Families, aging‑out dependents, and students

Dependents face their own documentation and timing pressures:

• Spouses and children in H‑4 status need valid H‑4 visas, passports, and ties to the principal’s employment.
• University students traveling separately may face different rules under F‑1 or other statuses, but consulate closures affect them similarly.
• Parents of teenagers nearing age 21 should map travel carefully—aging out on the 21st birthday can result in loss of H‑4 eligibility and potential denial of re‑entry.

Some families convert dependents to student or other status before travel when timing is tight—this has its own calendar and process implications.

Interview‑waiver options and contingency planning

Interview‑waiver eligibility can reduce uncertainty, but it still requires planning:

• Interview‑waiver rules differ by post; verify eligibility before booking travel.
• Even with a waiver, passport drop‑off and pickup may be delayed around holidays.
• Contingency plans include:
  • Manager ready to write an updated letter confirming ongoing need for the worker’s U.S. presence.
  • Building extra days into itineraries for document intake and return.

Employers may offer travel stipends or encourage pre‑holiday stamping to reduce business disruption.

Clear checklist — documents to carry for international travel

Essential checklist for H‑1B principals:
– Passport valid ≥ six months beyond planned entry
– Valid H‑1B visa (if required)
– Original or clear copy of latest Form I‑797 Approval Notice
– Employer letter (dated within 30 days; on company letterhead)
– Recent pay stubs (ideally last three)
– LCA and any transfer/receipt documentation if job changes occurred

For H‑4 dependents:
– Valid H‑4 visa and passport
– Copy of principal’s Form I‑797
– Principal’s employer letter and pay stubs
– H‑4 EAD card and pay slips, if the dependent works

Country‑specific notes — India and high-volume posts

In India, which accounts for a large share of H‑1B holders:
– Thanksgiving bottlenecks are now an annual issue.
– Diwali travel running close to Thanksgiving increases appointment and ticketing stress.
– Best practice used by many Indian‑origin tech workers:
– Keep digital backups of passport bio page, visa page, Form I‑797, LCA, and employer letter in cloud storage accessible via phone.
– Carry printed sets for drop‑box submissions or secondary inspection.

Administrative processing (221(g)) guidance

If you already have a 221(g) administrative processing slip:
– Expect slower movement during Thanksgiving week and into early December.
– Reduced staffing means fewer personnel to clear checks or request items.
– Attorneys often advise avoiding nonessential travel if your passport is stuck at the consulate.

For others, booking consulate appointments well in advance through Department of State systems remains the most dependable risk reduction.

Post‑arrival reminders and final advice

After returning to the U.S.:
– Retrieve and review your electronic I‑94 record immediately.
– Ensure the class of admission and admit‑until date match the petition.
– If mismatched, contact CBP Deferred Inspection to request correction.
– Save a PDF of the I‑94 and store it with other immigration documents.

Final practical guidance:
– Book consulate appointments early. Treat them like scarce tickets.
– Confirm interview‑waiver eligibility where possible.
– Pack a complete set of documents (both digital and printed).
– If possible, delay nonessential international travel into December for friendlier appointment schedules.

The goal is not to win a debate at the airport but to be so ready that no debate is needed.

For official guidance:
– Use the CBP online system to view and download your I‑94 after entry.
– USCIS maintains a page explaining the purpose and formats of Form I‑797 Notices of Action, useful when preparing materials to present at the border.