Google is telling some U.S. employees on company-sponsored visas to hold off on international travel. U.S. embassies are taking much longer to process visas, Business Insider reported, citing an internal message.
This warning highlights the growing challenges foreign workers face when renewing their visas to return to the U.S. Many embassies and consulates around the world are taking longer to process visas. This situation is making big tech companies more concerned about the impact of global and immigration issues.
BAL, a firm assisting Google, sent an email advising employees who need a visa to re-enter the U.S. to return as soon as possible. The memo, seen by Business Insider, said that processing times at embassies and consulates have increased, sometimes taking up to a year. It warned that traveling abroad could mean being stuck outside the U.S. for a long time, disrupting employees’ lives and families.
Google did not respond to Reuters right away when asked about the warning or its meaning.
The Trump White House said earlier this month that it would scrutinize applications for H-1B visas, which are for skilled foreign workers, even more closely. They’re even going to check out applicants’ social media.
The H-1B program is super important for U.S. tech companies that want to hire top talent from around the world. It has received more attention since the Trump administration announced earlier this year that it would charge $100,000 for new visa applications. Companies use this program to hire skilled workers from places like India and China.’s parent company, Alphabet, already told its employees to avoid going abroad and urged H-1B visa holders to stay in the United States, according to an email Reuters saw before.
This latest warning underscores how changing immigration rules and growing visa backlogs continue to cause problems for companies that rely on workers from around the world. As delays and rule changes continue, it is making things tough for both tech companies and their employees.
