Google and Apple Warn Visa-Dependent Employees Against International Travel
Lengthy and unpredictable U.S. visa processing delays are prompting major tech companies to caution employees who rely on work visas to avoid leaving the country.
Google and Apple have reportedly advised employees who require visa stamping to re-enter the United States to postpone international travel, citing extended processing timelines and growing uncertainty around visa approvals.
According to Business Insider, immigration law firms representing both companies circulated internal guidance warning that overseas travel could result in employees being stranded outside the U.S. for weeks or longer.
Immigration Firms Issue Travel Warnings
In one memo attributed to Fragomen, employees were urged to remain in the U.S. if their visa status required re-stamping abroad.
“Given the recent updates and the possibility of unpredictable, extended delays when returning to the U.S., we strongly recommend that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for now,” the memo reportedly stated.
The guidance applies primarily to employees on H-1B and similar work visas, who must obtain visa stamps at U.S. embassies or consulates outside the country before re-entering.
State Department Signals Tighter Scrutiny
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told Business Insider that embassies worldwide are now placing greater emphasis on vetting visa applications.
The spokesperson said consular offices are “prioritizing thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else,” a shift that appears to be contributing to longer processing times and appointment backlogs.
Indian Professionals Disproportionately Affected
The impact is being felt most acutely by Indian professionals, who make up the largest share of H-1B visa holders in the U.S. tech industry.
Salon reported that hundreds of Indian workers who traveled to India in December to renew their U.S. work visas have since had embassy appointments canceled or delayed. The disruptions are reportedly linked to new social media screening requirements introduced as part of expanded vetting procedures.
For affected workers, canceled appointments can mean prolonged separation from jobs, families, and housing arrangements in the U.S.
A Familiar Warning for Big Tech
This is not the first time major technology companies have cautioned employees about travel risks tied to visa policy changes. In September, Google, Apple, and several other large employers issued similar warnings after the White House announced plans to impose a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa applications.
At the time, companies flagged the possibility of administrative delays and policy uncertainty, advising employees to exercise caution when planning international trips.
Broader Implications
The warnings highlight the fragile position of visa-dependent workers in the U.S. tech sector, where global talent mobility has long been a competitive advantage. As immigration scrutiny increases and processing timelines stretch, even short international trips now carry significant professional risk.
For now, employees reliant on U.S. work visas are being urged to stay put, underscoring how policy shifts far beyond Silicon Valley continue to shape the lives of the industry’s global workforce.
