Thousands of Indian professionals have been left stranded after the United States abruptly postponed pre-scheduled H-1B visa interviews in India, following the rollout of stricter background checks and expanded social media vetting under the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Applicants who had interview dates from December 15 onwards were most affected, with many appointments rescheduled by several months. In some cases, new interview dates extend to mid-2026 or even 2027, according to PTI and immigration lawyers. The sudden cancellations have created uncertainty for workers who had travelled to India specifically to renew their US work visas.
The US Embassy in India has issued a clear advisory urging applicants not to visit consulates based on their original schedules.
“If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate,” the embassy said in a post on X earlier this month.
Workers stuck, families separated
Many affected H-1B holders are now unable to return to the United States because their visas have expired. Immigration attorneys say the delays have disrupted careers, separated families and forced workers to explore temporary remote arrangements with their US employers.
Houston-based immigration attorney Emily Neumann criticised the unpredictability of the visa process, telling The Washington Post, “Visa stamping feels like a maze of pitfalls right now. Now, appointments are getting cancelled without warning and pushed out by months. There is no predictability in this process, and it is creating real challenges for businesses and employees who need to travel.”
Neumann said at least 100 of her clients are currently stuck in India. Other immigration lawyers have reported similar numbers. Veena Vijay Ananth, an immigration lawyer in India, and Charles Kuck, an Atlanta-based attorney, said they are each handling more than a dozen such cases.
“This is the biggest mess we have seen,” Ananth said. “I’m not sure there is a plan.”
Expanded screening norms
The delays follow the Trump administration’s announcement on December 3 of expanded screening and vetting procedures for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. Consular officers have been instructed to conduct detailed “online presence reviews”, involving close scrutiny of social media activity and digital footprints.
According to emails reviewed by The Washington Post, applicants were informed that their interviews had been postponed due to “operational constraints”, as consulates reduced the number of interviews conducted each day to accommodate the new screening requirements.
A spokesperson for the US State Department told The Washington Post, “While in the past the emphasis may have been on processing cases quickly and reducing wait times, our embassies and consulates around the world, including in India, are now prioritising thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else.”
Indians most affected
India has long been the biggest beneficiary of the H-1B programme, accounting for around 71 per cent of all approved applications, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Major US technology firms, including Amazon, Meta and Microsoft, remain among the largest sponsors of H-1B workers.
However, the programme has faced increasing scrutiny since President Donald Trump returned to office. In September, Trump signed a proclamation raising the fee for new H-1B visas to $100,000, as part of efforts to curb what his administration describes as misuse of the programme.
On December 3, the administration underscored its position, stating, “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. A US visa is a privilege, not a right.”
Uncertainty ahead
Immigration lawyers warn that unless consular capacity is expanded or clearer timelines are provided, visa delays could extend well into next year. Several affected workers are reportedly negotiating remote work arrangements, while others remain separated from spouses and children in the US.
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