Google and Apple have advised employees on visas not to travel outside the United States, as significant delays at U.S. embassies and consulates threaten to leave workers stranded abroad for months.
Internal memos reviewed by Business Insider reveal that these warnings come amid an ongoing Trump administration-led immigration crackdown, which has tightened scrutiny on H-1B visa holders and other non-immigrant workers.
The advisories come at a time when routine visa processing has become increasingly unpredictable. In a Thursday memo from BAL Immigration Law, which represents Google, staff were cautioned that “some U.S. Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months.” Employees needing visa stamps to re-enter the U.S. were urged to avoid international travel, as delays could result in “an extended stay outside the U.S.”
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Apple issued a similar warning through its counsel, Fragomen, last week. The memo emphasized that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp should refrain from traveling internationally. For those who cannot postpone travel, employees were advised to consult Apple’s immigration team and Fragomen beforehand to assess risks.
The delays affect multiple visa categories, including H-1B for skilled workers, H-4 for dependents, F for students, J for exchange visitors, and M visas for vocational trainees. Google’s lawyers noted that these categories are particularly impacted by appointment backlogs, which have worsened due to enhanced social media screening requirements introduced by the Trump administration. The U.S. Department of State confirmed that it is now conducting “online presence reviews for applicants” and said appointment availability may change as resources are allocated. Expedited processing is available only in select cases.
The warnings coincide with a period of heightened immigration scrutiny. Under President Trump, the administration has implemented a sweeping crackdown on nonimmigrant visas, increasing vetting and imposing additional requirements on H-1B applicants. Earlier this year, a $100,000 fee was levied on new H-1B visas, adding to the financial and procedural burdens faced by foreign workers. Critics argue that the policies have made it harder for U.S. companies to hire and retain skilled international talent.
Visa delays are being reported across regions. Appointments have been postponed in countries including India, Ireland, and Vietnam, with some applicants waiting months for rescheduled dates, according to immigration firms. For employees already outside the U.S., the situation is particularly precarious, as delays may prevent timely re-entry, leaving workers in legal limbo.
Immigration experts emphasize that even workers with valid visas could be affected if consulates cancel or postpone appointments for renewals.
“If travel isn’t essential right now, better to stay put,” said Jason Finkelman, an immigration attorney specializing in employment and family visas. “Enhanced vetting and unpredictable consular scheduling mean even routine trips can result in prolonged stays abroad.”
The H-1B program, which caps new visas at 85,000 annually, remains a core pipeline for U.S. tech companies seeking skilled workers. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, filed 5,537 H-1B applications in the 2024 fiscal year, while Apple applied for 3,880, according to U.S. Department of Labor and USCIS data analyzed by Business Insider. The stricter immigration environment has compounded challenges for companies reliant on global talent, forcing major tech firms to reconsider international travel for employees on critical visas.
Potential Impacts on U.S. Tech Sector Hiring and Project Timelines
The ongoing visa delays could have far-reaching consequences for the U.S. tech sector. Companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta depend heavily on H-1B workers to fill highly specialized roles, ranging from software engineering and AI development to cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure. Prolonged absences of key employees due to visa delays risk disrupting project timelines, delaying product launches, and slowing innovation pipelines.
Some firms are expected to face difficulty meeting contractual obligations for projects dependent on international talent. Startups and smaller tech companies, which often rely almost entirely on foreign specialists, are particularly vulnerable. Delays in onboarding H-1B workers can also create talent gaps at critical junctures, forcing companies to reallocate existing employees, outsource work, or even postpone expansion plans.
Long-term effects could extend to hiring strategies. The combination of extended processing times and heightened scrutiny may discourage highly skilled professionals from accepting U.S. offers, prompting tech firms to explore alternatives such as remote work, offshoring, or relocation to countries with more predictable visa policies. These adjustments could have lasting implications for the competitiveness of the U.S. technology industry in the global market.