Google and Apple Advise Visa Holders to Avoid International Travel Amid Visa Appointment Delays
Two of America’s largest technology companies, Google and Apple, have recently warned employees holding U.S. work visas to reconsider international travel plans. The caution comes as visa stamping appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates have been facing delays that can extend up to 12 months.
According to internal communications cited by Business Insider, these lengthy delays stem from new social media screening requirements introduced as part of stricter immigration vetting. Immigration law firms have linked these changes to the current backlog. The delays have raised concerns that visa holders who travel abroad for renewal appointments risk being stuck outside the United States for a prolonged time if their appointments get postponed.
A memo sent last week by BAL Immigration Law, which represents Google, informed employees that several diplomatic missions are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, some lasting up to a year. The advisory warned that international travel could result in an extended stay outside the U.S. This notice applies to holders of various visa types, including H-1B, H-4, F, J, and M visas.
Apple released a similar warning. Its immigration law advisor, Fragomen, issued a memo urging certain visa holders to avoid travel if they do not already have a valid H-1B visa stamp. The firm emphasized the risks of unpredictable and prolonged delays when attempting to re-enter the U.S. It advised employees to consult Apple’s immigration team before making travel plans that cannot be postponed.
These advisories come amid intensified scrutiny of employment-based visas under the current administration. Recently, President Donald Trump announced stricter vetting for H-1B applicants, which includes expanded social media screenings. The H-1B visa program is widely used by U.S. technology firms to hire skilled workers, notably from India and China. The program has faced increasing regulatory pressures, such as a new $10,000 fee imposed on new applications this year.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, had issued similar guidance earlier in 2025. In September, Alphabet strongly urged employees to avoid international travel and advised H-1B holders to stay within the United States.
Typically, the H-1B visa is granted for up to three years and can be renewed. However, workers requiring a new visa stamp must complete this process at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, often in their home country or a place where they have legal residency. The current delays pose a significant risk for workers who travel internationally, as they might face long waiting periods outside the U.S.
This situation marks a growing challenge for skilled workers in the U.S. technology sector, highlighting the impact of evolving immigration policies on global talent mobility.
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