Google and Apple have reportedly issued internal advisories to some employees on U.S. work visas urging them not to leave the country due to significant delays in visa processing that could leave workers stranded abroad for months. Legal counsel representing both companies has cautioned staff that re-entry could become unpredictable and prolonged under the current visa environment.
Why the Travel Warning Was Issued
According to internal memos reviewed by several media outlets, immigration law firms representing Google (Berry Appleman & Leiden) and Apple (Fragomen) have told visa holders that extended waits for embassy or consulate appointments may exceed 12 months. In some cases, personnel needing new visa stamps to re-enter the U.S. have already seen appointments canceled or rescheduled due to expanded vetting requirements, including social media screening at consulates worldwide.
Delays are tied to shifts in U.S. visa policy and a broader immigration review process, prompting both companies to advise employees to remain in the U.S. if possible before attempting international travel.
Who Is Most Affected
The advisories apply primarily to employees holding temporary work and student visas, including:
H-1B visas for specialty workers
H-4 visas for dependent spouses
F and J visas for students and exchange visitors
M visas for vocational training
Visa holders in these categories may be subject to lengthy embassy delays if they travel abroad to renew or obtain a visa stamp, a requirement for re-entry into the U.S.
What Employees Are Being Told
Lawyers working with the companies reportedly told employees that:
Avoid international travel if you require a visa stamp to return.
If travel cannot be avoided, consult immigration teams in advance to understand the potential risks and timelines.
Embassy and consulate appointments may take months, even in routine renewal scenarios.
These advisories reflect mounting concerns that current consular delays, combined with enhanced screening protocols, make foreign trips risky for visa holders whose re-entry depends on timely visa processing.
Why This Trend Matters
Tech companies like Google and Apple rely heavily on highly skilled international workers to fill technical roles. Travel restrictions or re-entry complications can disrupt project timelines, affect mobility for career development, and create uncertainty for employees and their families.
The memos come amid broader immigration policy changes in the United States that have tightened vetting and added procedural layers to visa approval processes — including social media history checks that extend embassy processing times.