Google has told some visa-holding employees not to travel outside the U.S. after its counsel warned that visa-stamping appointments at certain embassies can be delayed for up to 12 months. The backlog is linked to a new social-media screening requirement and affects H-1B, H-4, F, J and M visa categories. The State Department says it is conducting online-presence reviews and may grant expedited appointments case by case. Immigration attorneys recommend postponing nonessential travel until appointment availability stabilizes.
Google Warns Visa-Holding Employees: Don’t Travel Abroad as U.S. Embassy Stamping Delays Stretch Up to a Year
Google has advised some employees who hold U.S. visas to avoid international travel after its outside counsel warned that visa-stamping appointments at certain U.S. embassies and consulates are facing unusually long delays — in some cases up to 12 months.
An email from BAL Immigration Law, reviewed by Business Insider, urged employees who need a visa stamp to re-enter the United States to remain in the country rather than risk an extended stay abroad. The memo said: “Please be aware that some U.S. Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months.”
What’s Causing the Backlog?
Officials and immigration experts attribute much of the slowdown to a new social-media screening requirement that expanded online-presence checks for certain visa categories. The Department of State confirmed it is conducting "online presence reviews for applicants," and said consular operations and appointment schedules can shift as resources change. Applicants may request expedited appointments on a case-by-case basis.
Who Is Affected?
Google’s legal advisers warned that the delays are affecting multiple visa categories, including H-1B, H-4, F, J and M visas. Reports indicate appointment postponements in countries such as India, Ireland and Vietnam, among others.
“If travel isn't essential right now, better to stay put,” said immigration attorney Jason Finkelman, who focuses on employment and family immigration.
Practical Consequences
Typically, foreign nationals who need a new visa stamp must appear at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country (or a country of lawful residence). Enhanced vetting can transform a routine trip into a lengthy delay: an H-1B worker who leaves the U.S. and has a canceled or postponed consular interview may be unable to return for months until the visa is issued.
The H-1B program — capped at 85,000 new visas per year — remains a key recruitment channel for U.S. employers seeking skilled foreign workers. Tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Meta have historically been among the largest users of the program.
Policy Context
The advisory follows broader policy shifts under the current administration that industry groups say have made hiring foreign talent more complicated and costly. In September, officials announced a proposed new fee on certain H-1B filings that prompted internal travel advisories across corporate America.
The Department of State emphasized that consular officers will not issue a visa unless applicants can credibly demonstrate they meet all legal requirements, including that their intended activities are consistent with the visa category.
A Google spokesperson declined to comment.
