Google and Apple have reportedly warned some employees to avoid leaving the United States if they need a visa stamp to return, citing growing delays and unpredictable processing times at U.S. embassies.
According to Business Insider, law firms representing both companies issued internal guidance advising caution. BAL Immigration Law, which works with Google, and Fragomen, which represents Apple, warned that employees without valid H-1B visa stamps could face extended delays if they travel abroad.
One memo reviewed by Business Insider stated that recent changes have created a risk of lengthy and uncertain wait times for re entry into the United States. Employees were strongly advised to postpone international travel unless absolutely necessary.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told Business Insider that embassies are now prioritizing more extensive vetting of visa applications, even if that results in slower processing.
The issue appears to be affecting workers well beyond major tech firms. Salon reported that hundreds of Indian professionals who traveled home in December to renew U.S. work visas have seen embassy appointments canceled or pushed back. Those disruptions are reportedly tied to expanded requirements for social media screening and background checks.
Google and Apple have not yet publicly commented, but this is not the first time large tech employers have raised alarms. In September, both companies issued similar warnings after the White House announced that employers would be required to pay a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications.
The travel guidance underscores growing anxiety across the tech industry as immigration rules tighten and processing times become less predictable. For foreign workers, especially those in high demand engineering and AI roles, a routine trip home now carries the risk of being stranded outside the country for weeks or even months.
What This Means for Everyday People
For tech workers on visas, the warning highlights how fragile international mobility has become. A single delayed appointment can interrupt careers, separate families, and disrupt entire teams. More broadly, the situation shows how immigration policy changes ripple through the economy, affecting startups, innovation pipelines, and hiring at the largest tech companies alike.
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