A bit over a month ago I accepted an offer from a major tech company in the US. From the start of the hiring process, it was known that I'd need some paperwork from the company to obtain the visa I need to work there.
I frequently followed up with my recruiter asking how things were going and when I would get the paperwork I needed from them. I was always assured that everything was moving along and that I'd get everything I need in time (the visa I need has no processing time, I just need to have all the correct documents with me at time of travel).
Shortly before I was set to leave, my recruiter contacted me to inform me that there was a mix-up and my name had never even entered the queue of people who need visa assistance.
Because of this, my start date may get pushed back by two weeks while their legal team handles my file. I have already left my previous job and apartment in preparation for starting my new job on the original start date. I will be speaking to someone later today to discuss what needs to be done and determine when I'll be able to start with them.
If my start date is pushed back, is it unreasonable for me to ask for some form of compensation? How should I go about doing so? I'm very frustrated by the idea of sitting around doing nothing for two weeks when I could have stayed on longer with my previous employer.