US Tech Giants Warn H-1B Visa Workers: Avoid International Travel Amid Visa Delays

Major US technology companies, including Apple and Google, are advising their H-1B visa workers to postpone international travel due to growing visa processing delays. The warning comes as foreign workers consider holiday travel and year-end trips abroad. According to internal memos, immigration law firms working with tech giants have flagged the risk of lengthy waits outside the US for employees who travel without valid visa stamps. This is because visa stamping appointments at US embassies and consulates remain severely backlogged in several countries. The H-1B visa program requires workers to obtain a visa stamp at a US embassy or consulate abroad if they leave the country and seek reentry. Legal experts say appointment delays at some diplomatic posts now stretch as long as 12 months, significantly raising the risk of workers being stuck overseas. The issue primarily affects workers with approved petitions who are already employed in the US but need a visa stamp to return. Immigration lawyers have cited the US State Department's temporary suspension of H-1B visa appointments in India, attributing the move to operational limits and the rollout of expanded social media screening. To mitigate the risk, companies are advising their workers to consult immigration attorneys before making any travel plans and to postpone nonessential trips whenever possible. The advisories come as the US government continues to roll out stricter immigration enforcement measures, including expanded background checks, higher application fees, and broader reviews of applicants' digital and social media histories.