Major technology companies are warning H-1B visa holders to avoid international travel as processing delays at some U.S. embassies stretch up to 12 months. Google, Apple, Microsoft and ServiceNow have issued internal advisories cautioning employees against leaving the country, according to memos reviewed by Business Insider.
The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies urged the Trump administration this week to adopt a more calibrated approach to expanded social media vetting. FIIDS warned that widespread visa appointment cancellations are disrupting U.S. industry and stranding thousands of high-skilled workers abroad.
New social media screening requirements took effect December 15, pushing routine appointments from December 2025 into March 2026 or later. Indian professionals account for 70-75% of H-1B approvals, making them particularly vulnerable to the sudden bottlenecks.
Google's immigration lawyers at BAL Immigration Law reported "significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months." The firm advised against international travel, cautioning employees would "risk an extended stay outside the U.S."
Microsoft's associate general counsel for immigration acknowledged the strain in a company memo. "For employees currently stuck abroad, we know this is an anxious moment," wrote Jack Chen. The company urged workers to "strongly consider changing" travel plans.
Apple's immigration firm Fragomen delivered similar guidance last week. "Given the possibility of unpredictable, extended delays when returning to the U.S., we strongly recommend that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for now," their memo stated.
The State Department confirmed embassies are now "prioritizing thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else." A spokesperson told Business Insider that appointment schedules may shift as staffing and resources change, with expedited appointments available case-by-case.
Vice President JD Vance backed the Trump administration's H-1B restrictions at the TurningPoint USA's AmericaFest convention this week. Vance criticized companies for bypassing American labor "to go for cheaper options in the third world."
The Trump administration announced a $100,000 fee for new visa applicants in September, calling H-1B misuse a "national security threat." Operation Firewall, an enforcement effort to crack down on fraud, launched alongside plans to remake the visa lottery to favor higher-skilled workers.
FIIDS emphasized its concerns target implementation, not security objectives. The organization proposed preserving existing appointments without blanket cancellations and capping post-interview administrative processing at one month.
"Tech leaders, including Google, Apple, and Microsoft, have issued advisories warning employees against international travel," FIIDS noted in its letter to President Trump. The group warned prolonged disruptions threaten work in AI, data platforms, and engineering.
Immigration lawyers representing major tech firms say the slowdown comes from new screening rules requiring online presence reviews. The policy affects H-1B workers, their dependents, students, and exchange visitors.
ServiceNow issued guidance December 18 asking employees stuck outside the U.S. to contact managers about exceptions to its 30-day remote-work policy. The company said it will review such exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. It has long been a key pathway for Indian professionals in technology, engineering, healthcare, and research to work in the United States.
FIIDS framed its proposal as consistent with administration goals. The suggested approach "aligns with your Administration's goals of robust immigration enforcement alongside a strong, innovation-driven economy fueled by skilled professionals," the letter stated.
