British companies sending staff to the United States are facing growing pressure to improve the support and guidance they offer to business travellers, amid heightened scrutiny at US border controls.
Global mobility firm Vialto Partners has reported a sharp increase in emergency calls from travellers and their employers, with weekly case numbers doubling from around 20 to 40 since the start of the year. The calls often concern entry refusals, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) delays, or fears about being pulled aside for secondary screening.
Claire Pepper, immigration partner at Vialto and business travel leader for EMEA, said the surge in calls is being driven not only by high-profile media stories of travellers being turned away but also by a wider climate of uncertainty. “It’s people who are nervous—they may have ESTA questions, or they may be unsure whether their planned activity in the US counts as ‘work’,” she said. “It tends to be the employer who calls when there’s an actual emergency, or if someone has already been sent home.”
To meet the rising demand, Vialto has expanded its emergency helpline to include a wider range of travellers—not just those on business visits, but also individuals entering the US with longer-term work permissions. There’s also been a notable rise in general inquiries about US entry procedures, particularly around increased baggage checks, searches of electronic devices, and the unpredictability of ESTA processing times.
“A year ago, we weren’t getting calls about this,” said Manish Daftari, a partner at Vialto Law and a former US immigration attorney. “But now we’re seeing people calling weeks or even months in advance of their travel dates, just to clarify what they can expect.”
Some companies are now erring on the side of caution, Daftari added—choosing to apply for B-1 visas for employees rather than relying on visa waivers. Others are ramping up internal communication efforts, including targeted emails and intranet travel alerts.
The advice from risk and legal experts is consistent: travellers should be well-prepared and aware that even seemingly routine trips may involve prolonged scrutiny. Bruce McIndoe, president of McIndoe Risk Advisory, noted that while the media has amplified fears, border agents have indeed become “more empowered and more aggressive,” particularly toward non-US citizens.
“Even though only 0.01% of travellers had their electronic devices searched in 2024, businesses should be planning for it,” McIndoe said. “Border officers have wide authority, and that can include inspecting phones and laptops.”
This creates serious challenges for business travellers who may be carrying sensitive or confidential data. While US citizens can legally refuse to unlock a device—albeit risking a prolonged inspection—foreign nationals may face denial of entry if they refuse a search.
In response, some companies are now providing “burner” devices for staff travelling to high-risk destinations, or advising employees to remove biometric login functions and delete social media apps before flying. However, issuing formal guidance remains a legal tightrope in today’s politicised environment.
Joceyln Campanaro, co-chair of the immigration practice at law firm Fisher & Phillips, noted that many legal advisors are exercising caution in how they frame such advice. “We have to be careful. If I publish an alert saying travellers should scrub their phones, that could be misconstrued—especially in a climate where the government is going after law firms for allegedly aiding illegal immigration,” she said.
In practical terms, Daftari believes the best strategy for businesses is to prepare travellers for delays and encourage patience. “There’s no sign of major policy shifts ahead,” he said. “This increased vetting appears to be part of a broader strategy, and for now, it’s something travellers will just have to expect.”
With US elections looming and geopolitical tensions remaining high, companies that send staff to the States—whether for short visits or long-term postings—are being urged to stay alert, communicate frequently, and ensure their teams are briefed well before departure.