Apple, Google, and Microsoft Warn Visa-Holding Staff Against Overseas Travel

Leading US technology companies, including Google, Apple, Microsoft, and enterprise software firm ServiceNow, have advised employees to avoid travelling abroad for fear that these employees may be stranded outside the country for months due to the unprecedented delays in visa processing at US embassies and consulates across the world.

Internal communications reviewed by Business Insider show that immigration law firms working with these companies have reported worsening backlogs in the visa processing. In some locations, the wait time for visa stamping appointments was stretched to as long as 12 months.

Google and Apple Issue Advisories

Google's immigration law partner BAL Immigration Law informed employees that international travel could result in extended stays abroad and recommended only the essential trips. Apple, through its immigration law firm Fragomen, informed employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp that leaving the US could lead to unpredictable and lengthy delays. Those who could not avoid travel were asked to consult the company's immigration team before making plans.

Microsoft Collects Data

Microsoft has been monitoring the situation closely. In a memo sent by Jack Chen, associate general counsel for immigration, employees already stuck abroad due to rescheduled visa appointments were asked to report their circumstances directly to the company.

Microsoft advised their staff currently in the US to reconsider upcoming travel plans, citing restrictions on performing US-based work while outside the country. The company has also initiated an internal survey to collect information from affected employees, including details of which consulates are impacted and the length of delays.

ServiceNow Reviews Exceptions

ServiceNow told employees stuck overseas to contact their managers immediately. The company said exceptions to its 30-day Work from Anywhere policy would be reviewed individually, depending on the circumstances.

Why This Delay

The US Department of State confirmed that the delays are linked to new screening requirements. Visa applicants, including H-1B workers, their dependents, and students on F, J, and M visas, are now subject to online presence reviews. This means officials are undertaking strict vetting of applicants' social media and online activity before granting visas. Due to the shortage of enough staff strength to undertake these activities, the consulates have been compelled to postpone interviews.

Immigration attorneys say the situation has complicated what would normally be routine travel. H-1B workers who leave the US to renew a visa stamp must apply at a US embassy or consulate abroad. If their appointment is delayed or cancelled, they cannot return until the visa is issued.

Attorney Jason Finkelman, who specialises in employment-based visas, advised clients to avoid non-essential travel for now, stressing that delays could leave them stranded outside the US.

Background on the H-1B Programme

This latest round of warnings follows earlier advisories issued in September after the Trump administration introduced a 100,000-dollar fee on new H-1B visas. The programme, capped at 85,000 new visas annually, remains a vital route for skilled foreign workers in the technology sector.

Government data shows that in the 2024 fiscal year, Alphabet applied for more than 5,500 H-1B visas, Microsoft nearly 5,700, Apple close to 3,900, and ServiceNow 578.