Apple has issued a critical warning to its employees holding H-1B visas. The tech giant is urging employees planning international travel to be cautious due to unpredictable delays in their return to the US. According to information shared by Business Insider, this isn’t limited to Apple. Other tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and ServiceNow are also taking a similar stance, advising their employees on travel restrictions.
H-1B alert at tech giants: Visa processing could take up to a year
Fragomen, the law firm representing Apple, sent a memo last week to employees holding H-1B visas. The memo strongly advises employees without a valid H-1B visa to avoid international travel for now. If travel is unavoidable, employees should contact Apple’s Immigration Unit and the law firm in advance to assess the risks.
These visas are crucial for Apple’s skilled workforce. The company processed 3,880 H-1B visa applications in fiscal year 2024 alone. However, appointment scheduling problems at American consulates and embassies worldwide have stalled the process.
The root of these disruptions lies in the new social media screening requirements implemented by the US government. It is reported that this new procedure is causing significant delays in visa processing, sometimes reaching up to 12 months. Appointments are particularly reportedly being postponed at embassies in countries like Ireland and Vietnam.
This policy applies to H-1B visa holders, their family members, students, and exchange program visitors. Applicants are required to provide all social media usernames from the past five years on their DS-160 form. This rule applies to both new applications and renewals.
The most striking aspect of the process concerns privacy. Applicants are required to set their social media profiles to “public” so that consular officers can review their online activity. This situation is causing difficulties for thousands of workers in the technology sector.
What are your thoughts on these strict visa restrictions and social media screenings that directly affect the technology world and its employees? Do you think these kinds of security measures are necessary, or do they violate personal privacy? Don’t forget to share your opinions with us in the comments section.
