Read the memo sent by Apple's immigration team to employees: We strongly recommend that employees ...

Apple has now joined the list of other tech giants such as Google, Microsoft and others in warning employees about the risks of international travel due to delays in US visa stamping. Recently, the US Department of State has acknowledged significant delays in visa appointments at American embassies and consulates worldwide, including in India, as processing times stretch up to 12 months due to enhanced screening procedures. In a statement to Business Insider, a State Department spokesperson confirmed that consular offices are now “prioritizing thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else” over the previous emphasis on reducing wait times.

The delays have prompted Apple to issue travel advisories to employees holding H-1B visas and their dependents, warning them against international travel due to the “risk of an extended stay” outside the United States. As per the internal memo seen by Business Insider, Apple’s immigration team has asked its staff on H-1B visas without valid stamps to postpone their travel plans in order to avoid being stuck outside the country.

Read the memo sent by Apple's immigration team to employees

The email, sent by Apple’s immigration team, reads:

“Given the recent updates and the possibility of unpredictable, extended delays when returning to the US, we strongly recommend that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for now. If travel cannot be postponed, employees should connect with Apple Immigration and Fragomen in advance to discuss the risks.”

This guidance reflects the growing concerns across Silicon Valley as visa processing times at US embassies and consulates stretch to up to 12 months due to new screening requirements.

Industry-wide warnings

The memo shared by Apple is followed by similar advisories from Google and Microsoft which have already cautioned employees against leaving the US amid the delays. Immigration law firms warn that professionals traveling abroad for visa renewals risk being stranded if appointments are canceled or postponed.

Tech companies most affected by H-1B disruptions

The visa delays particularly impact technology companies that rely heavily on the H-1B program, which caps new visas at 85,000 annually. During fiscal year 2024, Google applied for 5,537 H-1B visas while Apple sought 3,880, according to Department of Labor and USCIS data analyzed by Business Insider. Indians account for over 70% of H-1B visas issued.

Immigration attorney Jason Finkelman advised that foreign nationals with valid visa stamps should generally be able to return to the US, but recommended clients avoid non-essential travel. “If travel isn’t essential right now, better to stay put,” he said, noting that H-1B workers stuck abroad due to cancelled consular appointments face uncertain timelines for returning to work in the United States.