Law firms representing Google and Apple have warned employees who need a visa stamp to re-enter the United States to avoid leaving the country. This is due to longer-than-usual visa processing times currently being experienced.
According to memos viewed by Business Insider, the law firm BAL Immigration Law, which represents Google, and Fragomen, which represents Apple, have issued this guidance. The Fragomen memo reportedly stated, “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.”
A State Department spokesperson explained that embassies are now prioritizing thorough vetting of each visa case above all else. This increased scrutiny is linked to new requirements for social media vetting. These new rules have reportedly led to the cancellation or rescheduling of appointments for hundreds of Indian professionals who traveled home in December to renew their U.S. work visas.
TechCrunch has reached out to Google and Apple for comment. Both companies, along with other large tech employers, issued similar warnings in September. That earlier advisory followed a White House announcement that employers would have to pay a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications.