Post by : Rameen Ariff

Many big technology companies have warned their employees who hold work visas not to travel outside the United States right now. These companies fear that workers may not be able to return on time because of long visa delays.

The H-1B visa travel warning comes after the United States started new and stricter visa checks. Because of this, many US embassies and consulates are facing heavy backlogs, and visa appointments are being delayed for months.

Companies have told staff that if they travel abroad and their visa stamp expires, they must get a new stamp before coming back. But getting a new visa appointment has become very hard, and some workers may be stuck outside the US for a long time.

Officials from the US government said that embassies are now focusing more on careful checking of each visa case, instead of fast processing. This has slowed down the whole system.

Microsoft’s Warning

Microsoft informed its employees that some visa appointments are being pushed back by many months, with some new dates going as far as June 2026. The delays are mostly seen in cities like Chennai and Hyderabad.

The company explained that the delay started after a new rule began on December 15, which checks online and social media activity for H-1B and H-4 visa holders. This rule reduced the number of visas processed each day.

Microsoft also said emergency visa appointments are very unlikely. Employees still inside the US were advised to rethink their travel plans, as they may not return without a new visa stamp.

Google’s Advice

Google also warned its staff about the risk of long delays. The company said that some embassies are taking up to one year to process visa stamps due to high demand and strict screening.

The warning applies to many visa types, including H-1B, H-4, F, J, and M visas. Employees were told that travel could lead to being away from the US for months.

Apple’s Message

Apple told its workers that returning to the US after travel could face unexpected and long delays. The company strongly advised employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp to avoid international travel.

Employees who must travel were asked to speak with immigration experts first to understand the risks.

ServiceNow’s Notice

ServiceNow warned that employees travelling to India for visa stamping may face serious delays. The company suggested cancelling such trips if possible.

However, ServiceNow said it will review special cases, such as medical or family emergencies, and may allow exceptions to its work-from-anywhere rule.

Why This Matters

Because of the new rules and delays, even a short trip abroad can turn into a long absence from the US. Some workers may be unable to return for months or even a year.

The H-1B visa travel warning has created fear and stress among visa holders, especially those working in the tech sector. Companies are asking staff to stay cautious until the situation improves.

#Global News