Major tech firms such as Google, Amazon, and Apple have advised employees to refrain from international travel unless visa appointment confirmations are secured, due to prevalent rescheduling and unexpected cancellations.
In a notice, Amazon urged those with interviews set for late December through January to stay in the US, noting that cancelled appointments might result in prolonged absences from the US.
The company advised employees to only travel once their new appointment dates are confirmed, highlighting the significant risk of sudden cancellations.
Nevertheless, the tech giant recommended that employees currently overseas with valid US visa stamps return before their visas expire. This guidance comes as H-1B visa interview delays have left many workers stranded in India for months, raising concerns about their employment status in the US.
Google also reportedly circulated a similar memo regarding employees on H-1B, H-4, F, J, and M visas, warning that some US embassies and consulates are experiencing appointment delays of up to a year.
The rescheduling is a result of the US Department of State’s decision to enhance digital vetting processes for employment-based visas, with consular officials required to perform online presence checks for H-1B workers and H-4 dependents seeking visas or renewals overseas starting December 15, 2025.
According to the policy, applicants must maintain their social media accounts used in the last five years as publicly accessible, enabling officers to assess online activity and other publicly available information.
This added level of scrutiny has led to increased processing times, additional security checks, or even visa denials in certain situations, with consulates reallocating resources to accommodate the heightened workload.
Also Read: H-1B visa interview delays leave many stranded in India for months, spark panic over job losses
