The familiar excitement of planning a business trip or family vacation has turned into a nerve-wracking puzzle for thousands of visa-holding employees at major tech companies. Google recently issued stark warnings to workers holding H-1B and L-1 visas, advising them to avoid international travel entirely due to potential year-long delays in returning to the United States.
What once sparked excitement now triggers anxiety as visa holders face potential year-long separations from their US careers.
The situation has become so serious that immigration law firm Fragomen is telling Apple employees without valid H-1B stamps to cancel their travel plans completely. Meanwhile, BAL Immigration Law warns Google workers they could face extended stays outside the country if they choose to leave. These aren’t casual suggestions – they’re urgent advisories based on unprecedented delays at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.
Current processing times stretch up to twelve months in many locations, with appointment shortages becoming the norm rather than the exception. High demand combined with increased security reviews has created a perfect storm of delays. Workers who travel with expired visa stamps face the harsh reality that they cannot re-enter the United States without going through consular renewal first. The delays stem partly from new social media screening requirements that have significantly slowed down the visa approval process.
Microsoft and ServiceNow have joined the growing list of companies issuing similar travel warnings to their international workforce. The message is clear: what used to be a routine process has become a potential career catastrophe. Immigration lawyers have been busy drafting internal memos reviewed by Business Insider, all echoing the same theme of caution. Even with seemingly valid paperwork, international travel can trigger unexpected immigration status reviews that lead to questioning of eligibility or shortened stays upon return.
The business impacts extend far beyond personal inconvenience. Extended employee absences delay product timelines and force companies to reassign critical projects. Payroll and tax residency rules become complicated when workers remain overseas for months. Emergency visa appointments abroad show disappointingly low success rates, making quick returns nearly impossible. Currency fluctuations from monetary policy decisions can make overseas stays even more financially burdensome for stranded employees.
Smart companies are now implementing rigorous travel approval processes and exploring alternatives like in-country drop-box renewals where available. For employees facing unavoidable trips, immigration counsel consultation has become essential. The once-simple decision to visit family or attend international conferences now requires the same careful planning as major life changes.
In this environment, staying put has become the safest career move.
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