Google tells employees on US visas to think twice before travelling abroad: Here’s why

Google has asked some of its employees in the US who are on work visas to be careful about travelling outside the country, as per a report by Business Insider. The reason is simple: getting back into the US after travelling abroad is taking much longer than usual.

Many foreign workers in the US need something called visa stamping if they leave the country and want to return. This stamping is done at US embassies or consulates abroad. Right now, appointments for this process are extremely hard to get. In some countries, people are being told the wait could run into several months, and in some cases, even close to a year.

Because of these delays, Google’s immigration lawyers have warned employees that leaving the US could mean getting stuck outside for a long time. Even if someone plans a short trip to visit family or attend a wedding, there is a risk they may not be able to return as planned.

The delays are happening because US authorities have increased checks on visa applications. Background checks and extra screening have slowed down the process at embassies. While these checks are meant to improve security, they have also created long backlogs and fewer available appointments.