In a significant development impacting thousands of Indian and other foreign tech professionals, tech giants Google and Apple have formally advised their US-based employees on work visas to avoid international travel. This advisory comes after their immigration lawyers warned of severe delays of up to 12 months for visa stamping appointments at US embassies and consulates worldwide, according to internal documents reviewed by Business Insider.
Internal Memos Reveal Grave Travel Warnings
The crisis unfolded through official memos from the companies' external immigration counsel. On Thursday, BAL Immigration Law, which represents Google, sent a stark warning to employees. The memo stated, “Please be aware that some US Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months.” It explicitly cautioned that employees would “risk an extended stay outside the US” if they travelled without a valid visa stamp in their passport.
Similarly, last week, Fragomen, the firm acting for Apple, issued an almost identical alert. Their communication strongly recommended that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for now, citing “unpredictable, extended delays when returning to the US.” The memo advised employees with unavoidable travel plans to connect with Apple Immigration and Fragomen beforehand to discuss the considerable risks involved.
Root Cause: New Social Media Screening and Stringent Vetting
The massive delays are attributed to a recent policy shift at the US Department of State. A spokesperson confirmed on Friday that consular officers are now conducting “online presence reviews for applicants.” This new social media screening requirement applies not only to H-1B visa workers and their dependents but also to students and exchange visitors.
The spokesperson emphasised a change in priority, stating, “While in the past the emphasis may have been on processing cases quickly and reducing wait times, our embassies and consulates around the world, including in India, are now prioritizing thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else.” While applicants can request expedited slots case-by-case, appointments are subject to change based on resource availability.
The impact is global. Immigration firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC reported appointment postponements in countries like Ireland and Vietnam. Google’s memo noted that the delays affect a range of visas, including:
- H-1B (for specialty occupations)
- H-4 (for dependents of H-1B holders)
- F (for students)
- J (for exchange visitors)
- M (for vocational students)
Broader Implications for Indian Tech Talent and US Firms
This situation creates a major logistical and personal headache for thousands of Indian professionals who form the backbone of the H-1B program. The H-1B programme, capped at 85,000 new visas annually, is a critical pipeline for US companies to hire skilled foreign workers. The advisory notably did not address how employees already stranded abroad with postponed appointments should proceed.
The H-1B visa has long been a political flashpoint. Under the previous Trump administration, new policies, including a substantial fee increase, made hiring overseas talent more difficult and expensive. The current delays add another layer of complexity. Data reveals the scale of reliance on this program: during the 2024 government fiscal year, Alphabet (Google's parent) applied for 5,537 H-1B visas, while Apple sought 3,880.
A Department of State spokesperson reiterated the strict adjudication standard, noting that visas are only issued when an applicant credibly demonstrates compliance with all US laws, including the intent to engage only in activities consistent with their visa terms. For now, the message from America's top tech employers to their international workforce is clear: staying put is the safest option.
