Microsoft H-1B Visa Advisory: What Employees Need to Know

Microsoft has issued a detailed travel advisory for employees holding H-1B and H-4 visas, cautioning them about severe visa appointment rescheduling and stamping delays at US consulates, particularly in India. The advisory comes amid enhanced social media and online presence screening procedures aimed at curbing what authorities describe as potential abuse of the H-1B visa programme.

Describing the situation as “rapidly developing,” the software giant has circulated preliminary guidance urging affected employees to carefully assess travel plans and, where possible, return to the United States before their current visas expire.

The advisory was sent by Jack Chen, Associate General Counsel for Immigration at Microsoft, and highlights growing operational constraints at US diplomatic missions handling employment-based visas.

Microsoft: Visa Appointments Rescheduled Without Warning

According to Microsoft, rescheduling notifications have been heavily concentrated in Chennai and Hyderabad, two of the busiest US visa processing centres in India. Some unverified reports from other consulates have also surfaced. Alarmingly, new appointment dates are being pushed as far out as June 2026.

The delays are linked to the rollout of a new online presence review for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, which took effect on December 15. This additional vetting has significantly reduced daily processing capacity, forcing consulates to defer thousands of already confirmed appointments.

Microsoft noted that several employees travelled for visa appointments only to receive rescheduling notices without prior warning, while others were informed even before departure. The company has cautioned that emergency appointment requests are highly unlikely to be approved under current circumstances.

Clear Guidance for Employees Inside and Outside the US

As part of its Microsoft H-1B visa travel advisory, the company laid out specific scenarios to help employees make informed decisions.

Employees currently outside the US who require a new visa stamp and have had appointments pushed back by months will be contacted directly by Microsoft. Those who still have valid visa stamps are being urged to re-enter the US before expiry, provided their visa category allows continued employment.

For employees planning travel who now face rescheduled appointments, Microsoft has strongly advised reconsidering travel altogether, warning that individuals could be stuck abroad for extended periods and face limitations on performing US-based work during that time.

Even employees whose appointments have not yet been rescheduled have been advised to exercise caution, as appointment changes could occur mid-travel.

Microsoft: Survey Launched to Track Impact in Real Time

To better understand the scale and spread of the issue, Microsoft has launched an internal survey for employees with upcoming US visa appointments. The survey allows employees to submit and update details if their appointment status changes, helping the company track:

• Which consulates are affected

• Timing of rescheduling notifications

• Length of appointment delays

• Potential spillover to other visa categories

Microsoft said the data will help it provide clearer guidance and identify employees who are currently unable to return to the US due to visa stamping delays.

Tech Industry Sounds the Alarm

Microsoft is not alone in flagging the issue. Other major technology firms, including Apple and Google, have reportedly issued similar advisories to their globally mobile workforce, underscoring growing concerns across the tech sector over US visa processing bottlenecks.