The administration of President Donald Trump this month announced increased vetting of applicants for H-1B visas for highly skilled workers, including screening social media accounts.
Alphabet’s Google and Apple have advised some employees on US work visas to avoid travelling abroad because of long delays in visa stamping appointments at US embassies, Business Insider reported on Friday, citing internal memos.
According to the report, immigration law firms working with the companies said the delays are linked to new social media screening rules. They warned that employees could be left stranded outside the United States if their visa appointments are delayed or rescheduled.
The advisory applies to holders of H-1B, H-4, F, J and M visas, a Google memo said. Some US embassies and consulates are facing appointment delays of up to 12 months, according to the report.
Google and Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
Earlier this month, the administration of USPresident Donald Trump announced tougher checks for applicants seeking H-1B visas for highly skilled workers, including reviews of their social media accounts.
The H-1B visa programme, widely used by US technology companies to hire skilled workers from countries such as India and China, has faced increased scrutiny under the Trump administration. This year, a $100,000 fee was introduced for new H-1B visa applications.
In September, Alphabet had already urged its employees to avoid international travel. In an email seen by Reuters, the company advised H-1B visa holders to remain in the United States due to the risk of long delays at embassies.
