Major technology corporations Google and Apple have issued internal advisories, strongly recommending that their employees holding specific United States work visas refrain from international travel. This warning comes in response to reports of severe delays, extending up to twelve months, for securing visa stamping appointments at various US embassies and consulates worldwide.
Internal Memos Detail the Travel Risks
According to a report by Business Insider on Saturday, 20 December, internal communications from the companies' immigration law firms highlighted the significant risk of employees being stranded outside the United States if their appointments are postponed. The delays are attributed to new social media screening requirements for visa applicants, as noted by immigration attorneys cited in the report.
Google's advisory was communicated via a memo sent on Thursday by its immigration counsel, BAL Immigration Law. The memo explicitly stated, "Please be aware that some US Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months." The firm cautioned employees that international travel could lead to "an extended stay outside the US."
Which Visa Holders Are Affected?
The guidance from Google impacts a broad range of visa holders, including those on H-1B, H-4, F, J, and M visas. This advisory echoes a similar stance taken by Google's parent company, Alphabet, which in September had already recommended its employees avoid international travel and specifically advised H-1B visa holders to remain within the US.
Similarly, Apple's immigration law firm, Fragomen, dispatched a memo last week to certain visa-holding staff. It warned, "Given the recent updates and the possibility of unpredictable, extended delays when returning to the U.S., we strongly recommend employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for now." The memo added that if travel is unavoidable, employees should consult with Apple Immigration and Fragomen beforehand to assess the risks.
Broader Context of Increased Scrutiny
These corporate warnings align with the Trump administration's recent policy shifts aimed at tightening the visa process. President Donald Trump announced enhanced vetting for H-1B visa applicants, which now includes the screening of their social media profiles. The H-1B program, a critical pipeline for the US tech sector to hire skilled professionals from countries like India and China, has faced increased scrutiny.
This year, the administration also implemented a substantial $10,000 fee for new H-1B applications. An H-1B visa is typically valid for an initial period of up to three years and is renewable. However, if a visa holder needs a new stamp in their passport, they must generally apply at a US embassy or consulate in their home country or country of legal residence, a process now fraught with long delays.
The combined effect of these policies and procedural bottlenecks presents a significant challenge for multinational tech companies and their globally mobile workforce, potentially disrupting projects and personal plans for thousands of professionals.
