A Reddit post by an H-1B visa holder has highlighted frustrations over alleged worksite violations after a one-day trip to a company office outside their approved LCA location. The employee, based in San Jose, California, visited the company’s Washington, D.C., office to meet a client, a trip reportedly approved by management in advance. However, the company’s immigration team later flagged the visit as a “worksite violation” because D.C. is not listed on the employee’s LCA.
Confusion Over Short-Term Travel Raises Questions
According to the Reddit post, the employee paid for the travel personally and the meeting was planned well in advance. Leadership had initially approved a relocation to D.C., which was later blocked by the company’s immigration team. Since then, the company has reportedly denied occasional remote work from D.C., even as other employees regularly travel or work from other locations without consequence.
The employee expressed frustration, saying, “They seem fine with me working 10–12 hour days, yet show zero support for a simple attempt to manage my personal life and be closer to my partner during a major life event.” He further added, “My manager knew about this trip but still reported me instead of warning me.”
Reddit Users Offer Insight and Caution
Responses on Reddit highlighted potential flexibility under H-1B rules. One user wrote, “Don’t know why your immigration team is giving you wrong advice. But check the immigration forums. There is a clause where you can work up to 30 days outside the MSA.”
Another commented, “Usually when companies start being ‘inflexible’, you’re on their list and anything you say or do will be used against you. If you enter the office at 9.15 one day, they will write you up, but other employees will regularly come at 9.30 or later and not a word gets said. Tough to be in your spot, but you can only fight it with facts.”
The employee sought guidance on whether a one-day visit truly constitutes an LCA violation, whether leaving and reentering the U.S. is standard advice, and whether consulting a personal immigration attorney would be the best next step.
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