Some employees at Apple and Google who work in the U.S. on work visas are being advised to avoid leaving the country, even for short trips. The reason is simple: returning may not be simple anymore.
According to internal memos reviewed by NPR, both companies have warned certain visa holders that international travel could result in long, unpredictable delays when trying to re-enter the United States. The message follows reports of months-long backlogs at U.S. consulates and embassies, plus tougher screening rules that can slow down visa appointments and approvals.
This shift matters because Apple and Google employ large numbers of highly skilled foreign-born workers, including many on H-1B visas. When international travel becomes risky, it affects everything from holidays and family emergencies to business trips and professional conferences.
Why are companies issuing travel warnings now?
The memos point to two connected problems: (1) longer waits to get visa appointments abroad, and (2) increased scrutiny during the visa process.
NPR reports that U.S. consulates and embassies have been experiencing extended delays, in some cases lasting months, for visa appointments. That means a worker who leaves the U.S. to renew a visa stamp could end up stuck outside the country far longer than expected.
One factor behind the slowdown is a newer screening approach tied to Department of Homeland Security rules that require some travelers to undergo a review of up to five years of social media history. Free speech and privacy advocates have criticized the policy, arguing it can be invasive and may discourage lawful expression online. Regardless of where someone stands on the debate, the practical impact is clear: more screening often means more time.
What Apple and Google reportedly told employees
NPR says the guidance was shared through immigration law firms that work with the companies. One memo tied to Google warned that international travel could lead to an “extended stay” outside the U.S. Another memo linked to Apple recommended that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid travel for now, and to consult the company’s immigration team if travel cannot be postponed.
Apple and Google declined to comment publicly on the advisories, NPR reported. Business Insider first reported the travel guidance.
Even though these messages may apply to a subset of employees, they send a broader signal: some of the biggest employers in the tech economy are planning for immigration friction, not immigration flow.
How H-1B visa renewals can create a trap
Many people assume that if you already work in the U.S. legally, you can come and go as needed. But the H-1B system can be more complicated in practice.
An H-1B visa often lasts for a set period (commonly three years), and many workers need to renew a visa stamp at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the country. In normal times, a worker might fly to their home country, attend a consular appointment, and return within days or a couple of weeks.
When appointment availability dries up, that “routine” trip can become a long absence. People can miss work. Families can be separated. Housing and childcare plans can collapse. And if a person has a spouse or children whose status depends on that worker’s visa, the stress multiplies fast.
NPR also points to reporting that some visa holders who traveled to India for renewals have had appointments postponed, with the State Department saying officials needed more time for security-related review. The result is uncertainty that is hard for both employees and employers to manage.
Tech’s dependence on global talent is colliding with policy realities
Big tech companies compete globally for engineers, researchers, product managers, designers, and other specialized roles. For decades, U.S. firms have leaned on immigration programs, including H-1B, to hire talent that may not be available in sufficient numbers domestically.
When travel becomes unpredictable, companies lose flexibility. Projects can stall. Teams can miss deadlines. And hiring becomes more complicated, because candidates may worry about long-term stability.
NPR’s reporting frames this moment as part of a broader tightening under the Trump administration. Earlier this year, the White House announced a major new fee for certain new H-1B visas. Any large additional cost changes the math for employers, especially for startups and mid-sized firms that do not have the same legal budgets as the biggest players.
But even for companies the size of Apple and Google, the larger issue is uncertainty. Employers can plan for rules, even strict ones, if the rules are clear and processing times are steady. What is harder is a system where an employee might leave for a week and be unable to return for months.
Why workers feel especially vulnerable during layoffs
Visa-related risk is not only about travel. It is also about employment stability.
NPR notes that at Google, the Alphabet Workers’ Union has pushed for added protections for H-1B workers. One reason is that visa status is usually tied to an employer’s sponsorship. If someone is laid off, they may have only a limited window to find a new sponsor or change status before they fall out of compliance.
That creates a power imbalance. Workers on visas may be less likely to speak up about workplace issues, negotiate hard, or take career risks. Add travel uncertainty on top of job uncertainty, and the pressure increases.
What this means for travelers, employers, and the broader economy
For employees on visas, the takeaway is caution. A holiday trip, a wedding, or a family visit that once felt safe may now come with serious downside. Many will choose to stay in the U.S. even when it is emotionally difficult, simply to protect their ability to work and remain legally present.
For employers, the lesson is to plan earlier and communicate more clearly. That can include:
- Encouraging visa holders to consult immigration counsel before booking international travel
- Building staffing redundancy for roles that cannot go uncovered
- Offering flexibility for remote collaboration when travel is delayed
- Providing emergency support when an employee gets stuck abroad
For the U.S. economy, these slowdowns can have long-term impact. If global workers view the U.S. as a place where routine processes are unpredictable, they may choose Canada, the U.K., the EU, or other destinations that feel more stable. Over time, that can influence where companies invest and where innovation clusters form.
Apple and Google’s reported guidance is not just a travel tip. It is a warning about a shifting reality: for many visa holders, leaving the U.S. can now be a major risk because re-entry may depend on delayed appointments and increased vetting abroad.
If you are a visa-holder, the safest move is to talk with your employer’s immigration team or a qualified immigration attorney before making any international plans. If you are an employer, it may be time to treat immigration processing risk the same way you treat other operational risks: plan for delays, communicate early, and support people when the system slows down.
Source: This article is based on reporting by NPR. Original story: Apple, Google tell workers on visas to avoid leaving the U.S.
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