Will Cognizant Fire US Visa Holders Returning in 2017?

In 2017, Cognizant, like many other IT services companies, went through restructuring and performance-based workforce adjustments due to shifts in client demands, increased automation, and cost pressures. Having a valid US work visa, such as an H-1B, did not guarantee job security.

Employees who returned from onsite assignments were subject to the same internal policies as others, including performance evaluations, project availability, and bench time limits. If someone was on the bench (not assigned to a project) for an extended period, and no internal reallocation was possible, termination was a possibility, even with a valid visa.

It’s important to note that US immigration regulations allow companies to lay off H-1B workers, but the employer must inform USCIS and may be required to offer return transportation to the home country. The employee typically has a grace period of up to 60 days to find another sponsor or leave the US.

So yes, there were cases where people holding valid US work visas were let go after returning from onsite, especially if they could not be reassigned to a project or met with performance issues. However, each case depended on individual circumstances and company needs at the time.