Google Advises Work Visa Employees Not to Leave the Country

Amid prevailing uncertainty over visa appointments for H1-B job holders in USA, tech giant Google has reportedly advised some of its employees who are on work visas not to leave the country. 

As per latest reports, Google’s outside counsel, BAL Immigration Law has sent an internal direction through email to all its employees who are on H1-B Visa and require a new stamping to re-enter the US to not plan any travel in the near future because of the appointment delays caused at consulates and embassies in the wake of recent changes in the immigration rules imposed by Trump’s administration. 

The memo sent by Google read “Please be aware that some US Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months. It was recommended that employees avoid international travel as they would risk an extended stay outside US.” 

The cancellation of visa appointments and rescheduling after many months was a result of the new enforcement by the US Department of state following Trump’s order to screen social media accounts of all those who are coming into America.

Due to this mandate, consulates worldwide are taking considerable time for vetting each applicant, resulting in inordinate wait times for visa appointments. 

Previously, applications used to be processed very quickly and the wait time for appointments was kept at bare minimum to allow applicants to complete all formalities at the earliest and return to work in USA. But, the scenario is completely different now because of the new rules as screening each applicant thoroughly has become a top priority, leading to massive delay in appointments.