Google, Apple, Microsoft, and ServiceNow have advised some visa-holding employees to avoid traveling outside the US after embassy delays stretched visa re-entry appointments to as long as a year.
Immigration law firms representing the companies warned that employees who need visa stamps to re-enter the US could face extended stays abroad due to unusually long processing times. A memo from BAL Immigration Law, which represents Google, said some US embassies and consulates are experiencing delays of up to 12 months and urged employees to avoid international travel to reduce the risk of being stranded outside the country.
Apple employees received similar guidance from Fragomen, the law firm representing the company. The memo warned that unpredictable and prolonged delays could occur for employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp and recommended postponing travel whenever possible.
Microsoft also cautioned staff to reconsider international travel and asked employees already stuck abroad to report their situations. The company said work limitations may apply while employees are outside the US and launched an internal survey to track which consulates are affected and how long delays are lasting.
ServiceNow instructed employees stranded overseas to contact managers to discuss possible exceptions to its 30-day Work From Anywhere policy, noting that extensions would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The delays are tied to a new visa screening process that includes reviews of applicants’ online and social media activity. The US State Department confirmed it is conducting these checks and said appointments may be rescheduled based on available resources, though expedited requests can be reviewed individually.
The delays are impacting multiple visa categories, including H-1B, H-4, F, J, and M visas, according to Google’s immigration counsel.