After reports of Google advising their visa-holding employees not to leave the country amid the current immigration anxiety, another tech giant has followed suit.
An internal memo from Fragomen, a law firm representing Apple, was sent to some visa holders associated with the tech behemoth last week, as per the Business Insider. The reported message followed after accounts of H-1B visa holder, particularly those from India, poured in, indicating that they had been “stranded” amid cancelled or delayed interviews or visa stamping process tied to their US return.
Apple’s warning to visa holders: Don’t travel outside US
As per the Business Insider report, the memo said, “Given the recent updates and the possibility of unpredictable, extended delays when returning to the U.S., we strongly recommend that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for now.”
“If travel cannot be postponed, employees should connect with Apple Immigration and Fragomen in advance to discuss the risks.”
Google had similarly sent memos to some of its staff members, alerting them about how certain US Embassies and Consulates have been experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, some even reported to be 12 months late.
Google’s legal representative firm, BAL Immigration Law, asserted in the memo reviewed by BI that employees should steer clear of international travel as they would “risk an extended stay outside the US.” The legal side’s memo is also said to have mentioned that those with H-1B, H-4, F, J and M visas had been targeted by the delays.
How many H-1B hires in Apple and Google
Although most of these appointments have just been part of the routine until now, the Trump administration’s revised stricter rules pertaining to enhanced social media vetting has complicated things.
According to an NFAP analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Google and Apple were among the top companies to approve new H-1B petitions in FY 2025. While Google was at No 3 with 1,050 H-1B petitions for initial employment, Apple was at No 6 on this list.
On the the other hand, Apple was at No 4 with 4,610 approved H-1B petitions for continuing employment, and Google with 4,509.