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Amid massive rescheduling and last-minute cancellations, tech giants like Google, Amazon and Apple have cautioned employees not to travel outside the US until visa appointments are confirmed.
Amazon, in an advisory, asked people interviewed between late December and January to remain in the US, explaining that canceled appointments could leave them stranded outside the US for extended periods and unable to return.
The company warned employees to travel outside only after receiving confirmation of their rescheduled appointment date, citing the high risk of sudden cancellation.
Nevertheless, the tech giant advised employees abroad with valid US visa stamps to return to the US before their visas expire. The advisory comes amid widespread delays in H-1B visa interviews that have left many workers stranded in India for months, raising concerns about the employment situation in the US.
Google also reportedly sent a similar memo regarding people with H-1B, H-4, F, J and M visas, warning some US embassies and consulates to face delays of up to a year in appointments.
The rescheduling follows the US State Department’s decision to expand digital checks for employment-based visas, ordering consular officers to conduct online presence checks for H-1B workers and H-4 dependents seeking visas or renewals abroad starting December 15, 2025.
Under the policy, applicants are required to keep publicly accessible social media accounts used in the past five years, allowing authorities to review online activity and other publicly available information.
This additional scrutiny has led to longer processing times, further security checks, or in some cases visa denials, with consulates redeploying staff to manage the increased workload.
Read also, Delay in H-1B visa interviews leaves many stranded in India for months, sparking panic over job loss