Google and Apple reportedly warn employees on visas to avoid international travel

Recent communications from law firms advocating for Google and Apple indicate that employees requiring visa stamps to re-enter the United States should refrain from international travel. This caution stems from unusually prolonged visa processing times, as reported by Business Insider. According to memos from BAL Immigration Law, which represents Google, and Fragomen, representing Apple, there is growing concern over potential delays. The Fragomen memo specifically advises employees lacking a valid H-1B visa stamp to avoid leaving the country at this time, citing unpredictable wait times for re-entry. A spokesperson from the State Department confirmed that embassies are currently focusing on thorough vetting of visa applications, which may contribute to the delays. Reports also highlight that numerous Indian professionals who returned home in December for visa renewals faced canceled or rescheduled U.S. embassy appointments, now complicated by new social media vetting requirements. This situation is not unprecedented, as both tech companies and other major employers had previously issued similar travel advisories in September. These warnings came shortly after the White House announced a new requirement mandating employers to pay a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. TechCrunch has reached out to both Google and Apple for further comments on this developing situation.