Microsoft has joined other top companies like Google and Apple in issuing firm warnings, while also showing its employees the way ahead amid the ongoing US visa crisis.
The tech giant has advised its visa-holding employees not to travel outside the United States, especially since re-entry demands visa stamping from their country of origin. This particular protocol has landed numerous foreign workers relying on H-1B visas in major trouble in the recent past amid the Trump administration’s enhanced social media vetting resulting in delays.
According to the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) figures, Microsoft was the top third US company lead H-1B approvals for initial employment (1,394). Meanwhile, for continuing employment, Microsoft was listed with 4,863 H-1B approvals.
Microsoft’s message to H-1B workers
Jack Chen, Microsoft’s association general counsel for immigration, sent across a memo to the company’s employees, detailing how they can figure their way around the tricky mess given their own H-1B status’ position. The mapped-out explanation, as detailed by Business Insider, was titled, “Update #1 on H-1B/H-4 Visa Appointment Rescheduling and Stamping Delays.”
Therein, Chen addressed emerging reports about some US consulates rescheduling existing H-1B and H-4 visa appointments and postponing dates by several months.
“Rescheduling notifications are concentrated in Chennai and Hyderabad, with some unverified reports from other consulates. New dates are as far out as June 2026,” the memo, as viewed by BI, notified. The company’s immigration expert noted that the delays were being fuelled by “operation constraints” linked to the online presence review for the ‘specialty occupations’ visa and H-4 dependents. The proclamation issued by the Donald Trump administration was effected December 15.
Given the load of increased social media checks, daily processing capacity of US consulates and embassies was severely impacted. Microsoft’s officials further noted, “We’re also hearing that these consulates needed time to implement new vetting procedures.”
In addition to H-1B and H-4 visa holders and applicants now told to make the social media “public,” a similar directive had already targeted F, J and M-type visa programs months ago. Highlighting the extent of uncertainty in the current scenario, Chen wrote in the memo, “We don’t know if rescheduling is ongoing, for those whose original visa appointments have not been changed.”
What H-1B visa holders outside/inside the US should do: Microsoft
In the reported memo, Chen noted that some Microsoft employees who travelled abroad for appointments had received rescheduling notices without warning, while other got them before their departure. Given how “rapidly” the situation is developing amid Trump’s immigration crackdown, the counsel laid out a “preliminary guidance,” which they promise to update as more revelations pour in.
According to Business Insider, the memo revealed that Microsoft will be contacting all those non-immigrant workers who are currently outside the US, need a new visa stamp and were issued a notice of months-delayed H-1B visa appointment.
For H-1B workers whose H-1B visa appointments were rescheduled but their current visa stamps are still valid for a period of time, Microsoft advised that they return before their current visas in the proper work-authorised category expire. “This situation applies for people who had scheduled visa appointments because their visas are expiring soon, not before the return to the US is planned,” the memo added.
On the contrary, the company told certain others who are still in the US to consider changing their travel plans. This piece of guidance was addressed to those visa holders who have upcoming travel, will need a visa to return and their H-1B visa appointment was rescheduled to months later.
“You cannot return until your new visa stamp is issued, and it’s highly unlikely that the appointment can be moved earlier,” the memo emphasised. “And there are limitations to your ability to perform work for your US role during that period. See Microsoft Global Mobility Payroll and Tax Compliance Policy.”
For the second category of visa holders still in the US with upcoming travel plans, will need a new visa for re-entry but their H-1B visa appointment has not bee rescheduled, Microsoft said that they could still face risks ahead. And so, it was highly likely that if he appointment is rescheduled during their trip, they could stranded abroad, a dire situation numerous H-1B holders are already facing in India.
“We are still learning more about how widespread and significant delays are in other consulates,” Microsoft said in the preliminary memo.
As for other visa categories beyond H-1B. H-4, F, J and M, Microsoft warned that while they may not be facing similar issues right now, things could change for them quickly down the line.
Microsoft survey created to keep track of visa trends
Chen’s memo, as reviewed by BI, also told employees to offer the company necessary data so that real-time impacts can be tracked more efficiently.
“If you have a visa appointment scheduled with a US consulate for any visa category, we’ve created a survey where you can share these details with us,” the company’s immigration counsel added. It further noted that the survey responses can be updated as well.
This will help Microsoft keep tab of all affected consulates, timeline of rescheduling notifications being sent to visa holders, delay length and what all types of visas are being targeted. The same will also help the company keep a track of all those employees who are outside the US and can’t return until a new visa stamp is issued.
“For employees currently stuck abroad—we know this is an anxious moment. We will provide clear and orderly guidance to you directly as soon as we can,” the memo affirmed in conclusion.