Leading technology companies, including Google, Apple, Microsoft, and ServiceNow, have advised employees on US work visas to avoid travelling abroad, warning that new screening rules could leave them stranded abroad for months.
Companies have issued internal guidance to staff holding visas. The warnings follow the rollout of stricter vetting requirements that have created significant backlogs at U.S. embassies and consulates.
The delays stem from a new regulation that expands social media screening for certain visa categories. As a result, embassies have postponed routine visa stamping appointments, making international travel risky for foreign workers. If a visa stamp expires while an employee is abroad, they must secure a new stamp before returning to the United States.
According to Business Insider, appointment delays now stretch far into the future. In some cases, routine travel could keep employees outside the US for up to a year.
A spokesperson for the US Department of State said on December 19 that embassies are prioritising thorough vetting over speed. The official noted that consulates worldwide, including in India, have shifted focus to more rigorous screening, even if it increases wait times.
Read the memos Google, Apple, Microsoft, and ServiceNow sent visa workers warning them not to travel https://t.co/uAnJKyB690
— Business Insider (@BusinessInsider) December 22, 2025Microsoft Flags Delays Until 2026
Microsoft informed employees that several US consulates have begun rescheduling visa appointments by months. In some cases, new dates extend through June 2026. The company said the longest delays appear in Chennai and Hyderabad.
The memo explained that new online presence reviews for H-1B and H-4 visas, effective December 15, have reduced daily processing capacity. Microsoft also warned that emergency appointments are unlikely to receive approval.
For staff still in the US who need a new visa stamp to return after travel, the company strongly advises reconsidering travel plans. Without a valid stamp, employees cannot re-enter the country.
Google Highlights Risk of Year-Long Delays
Google’s advisory, sent through its immigration law firm Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP, focused on the scale of the backlog. The firm warned that visa stamping delays could reach up to 12 months.
The guidance noted that increased screening and high demand have affected several visa categories, including H-1B, H-4, F, J, and M. It cautioned that prolonged absence from the US is now a real possibility for travellers.
Read the memos Google, Apple, Microsoft, and ServiceNow sent visa workers warning them not to travel https://t.co/wI5JYptQgp
— Insider Tech (@TechInsider) December 22, 2025Apple and ServiceNow Urge Caution
Apple’s immigration team warned employees of unpredictable, extended delays when attempting to return to the US. The company strongly recommended that staff without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for the time being. Employees who must travel were advised to consult immigration specialists beforehand.
ServiceNow issued similar guidance, particularly for employees planning to travel to India for visa stamping. The company warned of significant delays in securing appointments and encouraged workers to cancel non-essential trips. It said it may consider exceptions to its work-from-anywhere policy for medical or family emergencies.
The advisories reflect growing uncertainty around US visa processing and highlight the increasing challenges faced by international workers. Until backlogs ease, tech firms are urging caution to avoid prolonged disruptions to work and life in the United States.
