Google and Apple Warn Employees Against International Travel Amid US Visa Processing Delays

Google and Apple have warned employees who require visa stamping to re-enter the United States to avoid international travel due to unusually long and unpredictable visa processing delays, according to a report by Business Insider. Immigration law firms representing the two tech giants have raised concerns that employees leaving the US may face extended delays or difficulties returning.

Internal memos from BAL Immigration Law, which works with Google, and Fragomen, which represents Apple, highlight growing risks associated with overseas travel for certain visa holders. In one memo, Fragomen reportedly advised employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp to postpone international travel, citing the possibility of unexpected and prolonged delays when attempting to return to the United States.

The warnings come amid stricter visa scrutiny by US authorities. A spokesperson for the US State Department told Business Insider that embassies are currently prioritizing extensive vetting of each visa application, which has contributed to longer processing times worldwide.

The impact of these changes is already evident, particularly among Indian professionals. A report by Salon stated that hundreds of Indian workers who traveled home in December to renew their US work visas had their embassy appointments canceled or rescheduled due to new requirements related to social media screening.

Google and Apple have been approached for comment on the situation. Similar advisories were issued by major technology companies in September after the White House announced plans to impose a $100,000 fee on employers for H-1B visa applications, raising further concerns about mobility and workforce planning in the tech sector.