Visa Delays Prompt Google, Apple to Warn Employees Against Overseas Travel
Google and Apple have cautioned their visa-holding employees to avoid international travel, citing concerns that unusually prolonged visa processing could increase the risk of difficulties re-entering the United States, according to a report by TechCrunch.
A report by Business Insider said the guidance was issued through internal advisories sent by BAL Immigration Law on behalf of Google and Fragomen on behalf of Apple. Fragomen’s memo advised employees that, without a valid H-1B visa stamp, it is currently safer to avoid travel outside the United States.
A spokesperson for the US Department of State said embassies have now made stricter scrutiny of visa applications their top priority, contributing to longer processing times.
Meanwhile, Salon reported that more than 100 Indian professionals who traveled to India in December for visa renewals had their embassy interviews either cancelled or rescheduled, reportedly due to new requirements for social media screening.
Google and Apple have declined to comment on the matter.
It may be recalled that in September, when the White House announced a proposed $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, major technology companies had issued similar travel warnings to employees. Analysts say the evolving policy environment could disrupt hiring, project timelines, and research activities, and that it may take several more months for the situation to stabilize.
DBTech/BMT/OR
