Immigration Policy Changes Extend Visa Processing Times for Foreign Workers

In December 2025, Apple and Google advised employees on visas not to leave the United States due to risks of being unable to return. The Trump administration added new criteria for foreign workers seeking visas that month, including a requirement that H-1B applicants and dependents set their social media accounts to public for review.

The added screenings extended processing times for visa appointments and created uncertainty for employees' travel and work schedules. Speaking at Fortune's Workforce Innovation Summit on Wednesday, Hiba Mona Anver, partner at the Erickson Immigration Group, said companies need contingency plans for employees who may encounter delays in visa approvals.

Anver stated that some employees have been unable to return to the United States after policy changes, with cases reported of workers separated from families for months. U.S. workers hold temporary visas. 7 trillion in economic activity in 2023 through labor and consumer spending.

David Bier, director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, said companies should treat visa preparedness as a workforce stability issue rather than only an individual employee concern. U.S. companies spent almost $900 billion addressing employee turnover in 2023, with high-skilled foreign workers twice as likely to leave positions as less specialized workers.

He added that 80% of companies have an immigrant or H-1B visa holder in a CEO, chief technology officer, or vice president of engineering role.

Anver said firms should develop multiple contingency plans beyond basic compliance with visa rules. Bier stated that retaining specialized talent is now as important as recruitment, and companies risk permanent loss of key personnel if visa status lapses occur. The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum is scheduled for November 16-17 in Detroit.