Many Indian professionals working in the US are facing an uneven situation, as the US authorities deferred their scheduled H-1B interviews. According to reports, interviews that were originally set for December 15 and later dates have now been postponed, in some cases to mid-2026 or even 2027, and thousands of workers who travelled home are unable to return to their jobs and families in America.
Why the Delay
The delay began after the US government introduced stricter visa vetting. These new rules require consular officers to strictly examine the online activity of applicants, including their social media accounts and other digital records. Because of this, consulates in India have reduced the number of interviews they conduct each day.
Applicants are informed through emails that their interview appointments were postponed due to “operational constraints “, citing a lack of capacity to handle the extra time needed for the new screening process.
Consulates have also urged applicants not to appear on the given interview dates. Only those with new, rescheduled appointments will be allowed entry.
Impact on Workers and Families
Many Indians who want to renew their visas are now stuck because their visas expired. Without a valid visa stamp, they cannot enter the United States. This has disrupted careers, separated families, and forced some employees to work remotely for their American employers.
Immigration lawyers in both India and the US say they are handling dozens of such cases. Houston-based attorney Emily Neumann told the Washington Post that she has at least 100 clients stranded in India.
India Hit Hard
India is the worst hit, being the largest beneficiary of the H-1B programme, with about 71 per cent of all approved applications are from India. American technology companies such as Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are among the biggest sponsors of these visas.
Rising Costs and New Rules
In September, President Donald Trump signed an order raising the fee for new H-1B visas to 100,000 dollars, arguing that the programme was being misused. They have also insisted that every visa decision should be treated as a matter of national security.
On December 3, the government announced the expanded screening rules, stating that a US visa is a privilege and not a right.
Uncertain Future
Immigration lawyers warn that the delays may continue as long as the US increases the number of consular staffs or provides clearer timelines. For now, many workers have demanded remote work arrangements. Many remain separated from their spouses and children in America.
