Highlights:
- Microsoft, Google, and Apple advise H-1B employees to avoid international travel
- Visa stamping appointments in India delayed by months, some until mid-2026
- Rescheduling mainly affecting US consulates in Chennai and Hyderabad
- Emergency visa appointments considered “highly unlikely”
- Employees risk being stranded abroad and unable to return to US jobs
Microsoft has warned certain H-1B visa–holding employees to avoid traveling outside the United States amid widespread rescheduling of visa stamping appointments in India, a disruption that has left thousands of workers unable to return to their U.S. jobs.
The advisory places Microsoft alongside other major technology companies, including Google and Apple, that have issued similar guidance in recent weeks. The warnings come after many H-1B and H-4 visa holders traveled to India for routine visa stamping, only to have their in-person interviews abruptly postponed by U.S. consulates.
According to company communications accessed by Business Insider, Microsoft’s guidance was sent to employees by Jack Chen, the company’s associate general counsel for immigration. The memo highlighted extensive delays at U.S. diplomatic missions in India, particularly in Chennai and Hyderabad.
“As shared yesterday, some U.S. consulates are rescheduling existing H-1B/H-4 visa appointments and pushing dates out by several months,” the memo read.
“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 disruption is linked to new U.S. social media vetting requirements, which have significantly slowed visa processing timelines. Industry sources say the enhanced screening has led to delays of up to 12 months for visa stamping appointments, creating uncertainty for thousands of workers employed by U.S.-based firms.
Microsoft cautioned that employees who have already traveled to their home countries may face serious challenges returning to the U.S. if their appointments have been rescheduled. The company said emergency appointments are “highly unlikely” to be approved under the current conditions.
Employees currently outside the U.S. who still have a valid visa stamp were urged to return as soon as possible, provided their visa is in the correct work-authorized category.
“Your H-1B visa appointment was rescheduled BUT you still have some validity left on your current visa stamp: If your visa is for the proper work-authorized category, return before your current visa expires,” the memo stated.
For employees still in the U.S. but planning international travel, Microsoft strongly advised reconsidering those plans if a new visa stamp would be required for reentry. The company warned that workers whose appointments are delayed would be unable to return until a new visa is issued, potentially leaving them stranded abroad for months.
“You have upcoming travel + will need a new visa to return + your H-1B visa appointment was rescheduled months later: You should strongly consider changing your travel plans,” the memo said.
“You cannot return until your new visa stamp is issued, and it's highly unlikely that the appointment can be moved earlier.”
Even employees whose appointments have not yet been rescheduled were advised to weigh the risks carefully, as interviews could be postponed while they are abroad.
The situation has heightened anxiety among H-1B workers, particularly those from India, who make up a significant portion of the U.S. tech workforce. Companies say they are monitoring developments closely, but acknowledge that resolution may take months as consulates work through the growing backlog.
