The large technology companies based in the United States began issuing internal warnings aimed at them Employees who have temporary work visas. The recommendation is Avoid international travelunless absolutely necessary due to the risk of being stranded outside the North American country Delays in immigration procedures.
Google, Apple and Microsoftamong other firms in the industry, made recommendations through memoranda sent by their legal and global mobility divisions.
The focus is on H-1B visa holdersKey to hiring foreign professionals in technical and specialized areas. They also affect permissions H-4, F, J and M.
The legal departments of these technology companies began to provide clear guidelines to their foreign employees.
“Please note that some U.S. embassies and consulates There are significant delays in visa stamping appointmentscurrently estimated to be up to 12 months,” warned BAL Immigration Law, Google’s immigration consulting firm, as reported by Business Insider.
The message sent to employees suggests this Avoid any non-essential departure from the USA. The warning is that a trip that was previously considered routine could result in a forced stay outside the North American country for months.
Apple made a similar recommendation through his law firm specializing in immigration. He stated this in his internal communication Current delays are unpredictable and the risk of not being able to return is high.
“We strongly recommend that employees do not have a valid H-1B visa stamp Do not leave the USA for now. If the trip cannot be postponed, employees should contact Apple and Fragomen immigration in advance to discuss the risks“, he emphasized.
On the same line, Microsoft asked workers who are already outside the North American country and are facing rescheduling to report their situation. “We will provide you with clear and orderly instructions directly as soon as possible.“said the company’s general immigration advisor, Jack Chen, as reported by Business Insider.
One of the key factors explaining the situation is the inclusion of new verification requirements by immigration authorities.
Below is the detailed analysis of the Social media activities the visa applicantwhich can cover up to five years of digital history.
This type of review significantly increased the time required to evaluate each request.
“While speed of processing cases and reducing wait times were previously priorities, our embassies and consulates around the world are a priority They now prioritize thorough review of each visa case above all else“said a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Business Insider.
In some cases, dates that were originally planned for the coming months were postponed to much later dates, even into 2026. This situation affects both of them Workers seeking to renew their visa stamps, as well as students and exchange visitors of other immigration categories.
Lawyers warn: As soon as an employee leaves the USA without a valid stamp in their passport, This is subject to the availability and schedule of the relevant consulate.. Otherwise they should be able to be returned with a valid stamp.
“My advice to customers is: If travel is not absolutely necessary at the moment, It’s better to stay at homesaid Jason Finkelman, an attorney specializing in labor and family immigration.
The H-1B visa is one of the most important tools technology companies use Incorporating highly qualified foreign talent. This is a temporary residence permit that is usually valid for three years and can be extended requires the employer to act as the employee’s sponsor.
Although the visa is still valid, it is possible to re-enter the USA after international travel requires an updated stamp issued by an embassy or consulate. This is where the greatest risk is concentrated, as the process relies on face-to-face appointments and administrative controls, which today cause significant delays.
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