The delays have been attributed to the new vetting process, which has been criticized by free speech advocates as a privacy invasion. Apple and Google, which together employ over 300,000 employees and rely heavily on high-skilled workers, are taking a cautious approach to mitigate the risks associated with the delays. The companies' internal memos advise employees on H-1B visas to avoid traveling outside the U.S. until the situation improves.

"We're advising our employees to exercise caution and avoid traveling to countries where they may be subject to these delays," said a Google spokesperson. "We're working closely with the U.S. government to ensure that our employees can continue to work and travel without undue disruption."

Apple and Google's decision is a response to the Trump administration's tightening of visa regulations, which has resulted in a significant backlog of visa applications. The new rules, which were implemented in October, require visa applicants to provide up to five years of their social media history, which has been criticized by free speech advocates as a violation of their rights.

The H-1B visa program is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. The program has been a crucial source of talent for tech companies like Apple and Google, which rely heavily on high-skilled workers to develop and maintain their products.

Apple's iPhone, for example, is a product that relies heavily on the company's global supply chain and talent pool. The company's engineers and developers work closely with suppliers and partners around the world to design and manufacture the iPhone. The delays in visa processing could potentially disrupt this supply chain and impact the company's ability to meet demand.

Google's products, such as its Pixel smartphone and Google Home smart speaker, also rely on the company's global talent pool. The company's engineers and developers work closely with suppliers and partners around the world to design and manufacture these products.

The current situation has left many employees on H-1B visas in a state of uncertainty, with some reporting difficulties in getting visa appointments and others facing delays in their applications. The situation is expected to continue until the U.S. government resolves the backlog of visa applications and improves the processing time.

In the meantime, Apple and Google are advising their employees to exercise caution and avoid traveling outside the U.S. until the situation improves. The companies are also working closely with the U.S. government to ensure that their employees can continue to work and travel without undue disruption.