The notice, distributed through Google’s external immigration counsel BAL Immigration Law and reviewed by Business Insider, warned employees needing visa stamping that overseas travel might result in being unable to return to the US for several months due to appointment backlogs.
The email, sent on Thursday, December 18, encouraged impacted staff to delay non-essential international trips, cautioning that there are ‘unusually long’ visa stamping delays at US diplomatic facilities worldwide.
Visa stamping delays reported up to 12 months
“Some US Embassies and Consulates are experiencing considerable visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as long as 12 months,” the memo noted, as quoted by Business Insider. It further stated that employees traveling internationally risk “an extended stay outside the US.”
According to the report, delays are occurring in various countries as US missions contend with routine visa backlogs following the implementation of enhanced social media screening requirements. These checks affect several visa categories, including H-1B workers and their dependents (H-4), as well as students and exchange visitors on F, J, and M visas.
Also read: Trump halts green card lottery programme: What it means for Indian applicants?
Google’s legal advisory indicated that the disruption encompasses multiple visa categories but did not outline next steps for employees who are already outside the US and facing postponed appointments. A Google spokesperson chose not to comment, as Business Insider reported.
Enhanced vetting adds to travel uncertainty
The US Department of State acknowledged the delays, informing Business Insider on Friday, December 19, that it is conducting “online presence reviews for applicants.” A department spokesperson mentioned that visa appointments may be rescheduled as staffing and resources evolve, and that applicants can request expedited processing on a case-by-case basis.
“While previously the focus may have been on processing cases swiftly and minimizing wait times, our embassies and consulates globally, including in India, are currently prioritizing thorough vetting of each visa case above all else,” the spokesperson stated.
Immigration law firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC has also reported postponed visa appointments in countries such as Ireland and Vietnam, according to Business Insider.
Jason Finkelman, an immigration attorney, informed Business Insider that while foreign nationals holding valid visa stamps typically can re-enter the US, the expanded vetting process has rendered even commonplace travel uncertain. “If travel isn’t crucial right now, it’s better to remain in place,” he advised.
Also read: 20 US states sue Trump over $100,000 H-1B visa fee – All about it
The H-1B visa programme, which grants 85,000 new visas each year, continues to be a vital hiring pathway for major US tech firms, including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta. Under the Trump administration, the programme has transformed into a political battleground, with critics asserting that increased scrutiny and elevated compliance costs are complicating the hiring of skilled foreign workers.
