Google and Apple warn employees with visas to avoid leaving the US

A law firm contracted by Google and Apple to handle visa matters has warned employees who need visas to re-enter the US to avoid traveling abroad because visa processing times are longer than usual.

Google and Apple reportedly warn employees on visas to avoid international travel | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/20/google-and-apple-reportedly-warn-employees-on-visas-to-avoid-international-travel/

Apple has hired Fragomen, one of the world's largest immigration law firms, to handle visa-related matters. Fragomen has reportedly warned Apple employees, 'In light of recent developments and the potential for unforeseen and lengthy delays upon returning to the United States, we strongly recommend that employees with expired H-1B visas avoid international travel at this time.'

According to a report by Salon.com , hundreds of Indian professionals who returned to the US to renew their work visas in December 2025 have had their appointments at the US Embassy cancelled or rescheduled due to the newly introduced social media screening requirements.

The 'social media screening requirement' requires travelers from overseas, including Japan, to disclose their social media activity for the past five years.

Trump administration plans to require travelers from overseas, including Japan, to disclose their social media activity over the past five years - GIGAZINE

According to reports, Apple and Google are also concerned that the social media vetting requirement could delay visa applications. BAL Immigration Law, which handles visa applications for Google, has warned that similar issues could arise not only for H-1B but also for H-4, F, J, and M visa holders.

TechCrunch has reached out to Google and Apple for comment but has not received a response at press time. The two companies, along with other major technology companies, issued a similar warning in September 2025 when the White House announced that employers would be required to pay a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications.

The US imposes a 15 million yen surcharge on work visas to protect domestic workers, while Amazon, Google, and Microsoft call on employees to 'quickly return to the US' - GIGAZINE