H-1B Visa Cancellation at Abu Dhabi Preclearance Raises Concerns

Summary

A Reddit user reported that her H-1B visa was stamped 'cancelled and withdrawn' at Abu Dhabi preclearance when she was returning to the US in January 2026. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by H-1B workers due to the recent disruptions in visa appointments.

Background

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The woman and her husband completed their visa stamping on December 12, 2025, before the mass rescheduling of appointments started. However, when they reached Abu Dhabi preclearance, her case was flagged for review, while her husband was cleared to proceed without any trouble.

Incident Details

The woman was asked questions about her stay in India, including how long she remained there and if she continued working while on vacation. She was directed to secondary inspection and required to prove that working from India was authorised under her Labour Condition Application. However, this provision was not included in her application.

Visa Cancellation

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The woman was told that she had 'overstayed' in India and that receiving payment while working from India for a US company was against US law. Her H-1B visa was subsequently cancelled and stamped 'Cancelled and Withdrawn' on her passport.

Impact on H-1B Workers

The incident highlights the uncertainty surrounding remote work arrangements for H-1B workers. While some companies permit employees to operate remotely from India, the legal standing of such arrangements remains uncertain. The cancellation of her visa has left the woman without a solution, as there are currently no available visa appointment slots.

Timeline

• November 2025: The woman travelled to India for her daughter's first birthday.
• December 12, 2025: The woman and her husband completed their visa stamping.
• December 2025: The State Department began social media vetting, leading to a massive rescheduling of visa appointments.
• January 2026: The woman's H-1B visa was cancelled at Abu Dhabi preclearance.
• February 24, 2026: The incident was reported on Twitter by James Blunt.