I think this is actually something more people need to be aware of. When I found out a good friend of mine was in this position, a lot of my opinions about immigration and foreign workers changed. To me it is of a similar spirit to the condition of Bangladeshsi workers we hear about from time to time.

You can always walk away. Always. It's just a matter of the consequences being worth it or not. That's up to each individual.

As Jack Sparrow said: "The only rules that really matter are these: what a man can do and what a man can't do."

At least H1B's are transferable. I'm on an O1, which is technically non transferable.

H1Bs, especially those from poorer countries, are often more able to walk away. They just can't walk away and stay in the US. Being able to return to a place with a lower cost of living means you need less money in the bank to feel comfortable turning in your notice.

The world is getting smaller and more companies are realizing that remote workforces are possible. The network of people you build is far more important for finding a job than your location. Coming to the US can be an excellent way to break in and establish that network. But once you've done that, it's not necessary to stay here.

Take a 2 week vacation. I really really doubt you'll get fired for that. If it is such a deal breaker, tell your boss you need 2 weeks, and be okay to go down to 1 week. With the weekend on either side, that is plenty of time to destress. Even if the project is going crazy at the moment, bring this up now so you have relief a month or two away. This also has the benefit of giving you something to look forward to for that time. H1B should not be slavery.

They can't do it easily. But they still can. It maybe not be easy and straightforward, but they can.

L1, on the other hand...