Alphabet’s Google advised employees holding U.S. visas to refrain from international travel. This cautionary notice responds to unprecedented delays in visa stamping processes at U.S. embassies and consulates globally.
The company’s legal counsel distributed the internal communication. It specifically highlighted the risk of employees being stranded outside the U.S. for extended periods. Some employees face potential waits of up to a year to process their visas for re-entry.
The issue affects holders of various temporary visas, including the widely used H-1B visa. Tech companies rely on the H-1B to hire skilled foreign workers. Reports link the processing delays to enhanced background checks, specifically mentioning reviews of social media activity.
While direct market reaction is not widely reported, the situation underscores a growing challenge for multinational tech corporations. Prolonged processing times disrupt projects, impact employee well-being, and create significant logistical hurdles for business operations.