The US Department of State’s shift in priority towards thorough vetting of visa cases has led to significant delays in visa appointments at American embassies and consulates worldwide, including in India. Processing times have stretched up to 12 months, causing concern among Indian professionals and tech companies relying on the H-1B visa program.
The delays have prompted major tech companies such as Google, Microsoft and Apple to issue travel advisories to employees holding H-1B visas, warning them against international travel due to the risk of extended stays outside the US.
According to copies of their memos acquired by Business Insider, those organisations’ immigration counsels issued emails encouraging employees who needed a visa stamp to re-enter the US not to leave the country since visa processing was taking longer than usual.
“Please be aware that some US Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months,” according to a memo released on Thursday by BAL Immigration Law, which represents Google. The firm advised staff to avoid overseas travel because it would “risk an extended stay outside the US.”Fragomen, a law firm that represents Apple, delivered a message to some visa holders at the company last week, warning them not to travel.
“Given the recent updates and 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. If travel cannot be postponed, employees should connect with Apple Immigration and Fragomen in advance to discuss the risks,” the memo read.
Jack Chen, Microsoft’s associate general counsel for immigration, sent a memo asking staff members who are stranded abroad due to postponed visa appointments to “report their situation” to the company. “For employees currently stuck abroad, we know this is an anxious moment. We will provide clear and orderly guidance to you directly as soon as we can,” Chen said.
Also Read: H-1B visa interview delays leave many stranded in India for months, spark panic over job losses
Microsoft warned US employees planning international travel to “strongly consider changing” their plans. “There are limitations to your ability to perform work for your US role during that period,” Chen added.
“To track real-time impacts, we need data from employees whose appointments have been rescheduled or may be soon,” the memo said.
ServiceNow’s memo, sent by the company’s “Global Mobility Team,” invites employees who are stuck abroad to contact their managers as soon as possible to discuss whether an exception to the 30-day Work from Anywhere policy is warranted.” It also states that ServiceNow will “review and approve” exceptions to the company’s month-long Work from Anywhere policy on a case-by-case basis.
The US State Department has also acknowledged the significant delays in visa appointments at American embassies and consulates across the world due to the implementation of new social media screening requirements, which are applicable to H-1B visa workers and their dependents, as well as students and exchange visitors.
Speaking with Business Insider on Friday, a spokesperson for the Department of State said that it was conducting “online presence reviews for applicants.” It confirmed that the embassies and consulates are “now prioritising thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else,” over the previous emphasis on reducing wait times.
The visa delays have a particular impact on technology companies that rely heavily on the H-1B program, which limits new visas to 85,000 per year. According to statistics analysed by Business Insider from the Department of Labour and USCIS, Google asked for 5,537 H-1B visas in fiscal year 2024, while Apple sought 3,880. Indians account for more than 70% of H-1B visas issued.
Immigration attorney Jason Finkelman advises foreign nationals with valid visa stamps to avoid non-essential travel, saying, “If travel isn’t essential right now, better to stay put.”
Also Read: Tech giants urge employees to stay in US amid visa appointment uncertainty
