Google, Apple Advise H-1B Staff to Avoid Travel Over Visa Delays

Google and Apple have issued urgent warnings to their U.S.-based employees on H-1B visas, advising them against international travel due to severe delays in visa processing at American embassies and consulates. The advisories, circulated in internal memos on December 18, 2025, highlight risks of extended stays abroad, with some appointment backlogs stretching up to 12 months.

The alerts stem from heightened scrutiny of visa applications under the administration of President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, officials announced enhanced vetting procedures for H-1B applicants, including mandatory reviews of social media activity to ensure thorough background checks. A State Department spokesperson explained that embassies are now prioritizing comprehensive evaluations for each case, contributing to the prolonged wait times. As a result, employees needing a new visa stamp to reenter the United States face unpredictable timelines for securing appointments overseas.

For Google, the guidance came via an internal email from its external immigration counsel, BAL Immigration Law. The memo urged staff without valid H-1B stamps to postpone trips, noting that travel could lead to...