Apple Joins Google and Microsoft in Warning Staff on H-1B

Apple has become the latest Silicon Valley heavyweight to caution its workforce about the growing risks of international travel, as US visa stamping delays continue to disrupt global mobility for skilled foreign professionals. The advisory comes amid mounting concerns across the tech industry over prolonged visa appointment backlogs at American embassies and consulates worldwide, including in India.

According to a recent acknowledgment by the US Department of State, visa processing timelines have stretched dramatically, in some cases reaching up to 12 months. The delays are being attributed to enhanced screening procedures, with consular offices now prioritizing comprehensive vetting over faster appointment turnaround.

In a statement to Business Insider, a State Department spokesperson confirmed that consulates are “prioritizing thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else,” marking a significant shift from earlier efforts focused on reducing wait times.

Apple Issues Internal Advisory to H-1B Employees

Against this backdrop, Apple has issued a clear warning to employees holding H-1B visas and their dependents. The company’s immigration team has advised staff without a valid H-1B visa stamp to avoid international travel, citing the “risk of an extended stay” outside the United States if visa appointments are delayed or rescheduled.

An internal memo, reviewed by Business Insider, underscores Apple’s growing concern over the unpredictability of the current visa environment. Employees planning unavoidable travel have been urged to consult Apple’s immigration specialists and its external legal partner, Fragomen, before making any arrangements.

“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,” the memo stated.

A Broader Trend Across Silicon Valley

Apple’s move mirrors similar advisories already issued by Google and Microsoft, both of which have warned employees about the consequences of leaving the US during this period of US visa stamping delays. Immigration law firms echo these concerns, noting that canceled or postponed consular appointments have left many professionals stranded abroad with no clear timeline for return.

The uncertainty has introduced new challenges for global teams, particularly those working on time-sensitive projects or leadership roles that require physical presence in the United States.

Apple: Tech Firms Face Disproportionate Impact

The delays have hit technology companies especially hard, given their heavy reliance on the H-1B visa program, which is capped at 85,000 new visas annually. Data analyzed by Business Insider shows that during fiscal year 2024, Google filed 5,537 H-1B applications, while Apple submitted 3,880. A significant majority of these visas—over 70 percent—are issued to Indian professionals.

Immigration experts warn that even brief international trips for visa renewals now carry heightened risk. Immigration attorney Jason Finkelman advised that while employees with valid visa stamps are generally able to re-enter the US, non-essential travel should be avoided wherever possible.

“If travel isn’t essential right now, better to stay put,” Finkelman said, emphasizing that those caught abroad due to appointment disruptions face uncertain and often prolonged delays before resuming work in the United States.