Google Warns US Visa-Holding Staff Against International Travel Amid Embassy Delays

Alphabet’s Google has advised some employees on US visas to avoid international travel because of prolonged visa processing delays at American embassies, Business Insider reported on Friday, citing an internal email.

The email, sent on Thursday by the company’s external counsel BAL Immigration Law, warned employees who require a visa stamp to re-enter the United States not to travel abroad, as visa processing times have lengthened significantly.

According to the memo, some US embassies and consulates are facing visa appointment delays of up to 12 months. It cautioned that overseas travel could “risk an extended stay outside the US.”

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

The advisory comes as the administration of US President Donald Trump has stepped up scrutiny of work visas. Earlier this month, the administration announced enhanced vetting of H-1B visa applicants for highly skilled jobs, including screening of social media accounts.

The H-1B visa programme, widely used by the US technology sector to hire skilled workers from countries such as India and China, has been under renewed focus after the Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee for new applications this year.

In September, Google’s parent company Alphabet had also strongly advised employees—particularly H-1B visa holders—to avoid international travel and remain in the US, according to an email seen by Reuters.