Thousands of Indian professionals applying for H‑1B work visas are facing unprecedented delays, with interview dates now stretching into 2027. US consulates in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata currently show no available appointments for 2026, leaving applicants unable to schedule interviews.
The backlog is linked to new visa rules, including mandatory social media checks and stricter background verification. These changes have slowed the processing of applications and reduced the number of interviews consular staff can conduct each day. Many applicants who had planned early-2026 interviews have received notices that their appointments are now rescheduled for April, May, or later in 2027.
These delays are creating serious personal and professional challenges. Many Indian workers who returned home for visa stamping are stranded, unable to return to the US on time. Families are separated, career plans are disrupted, and projects for US employers dependent on global talent face uncertainty.
Additionally, the US has largely ended visa stamping in third countries for Indian applicants, concentrating demand entirely on local consulates. This has further worsened the backlog, according to immigration experts. Attorneys handling employment-based visas describe the scale and speed of these postponements as unprecedented.
Employers relying on skilled professionals from India are concerned about hiring delays and the impact on project timelines. The long waits also create uncertainty for individuals planning their careers or family moves, affecting not only employees but the broader global talent ecosystem.
With H‑1B appointments now extending into 2027, thousands of Indian professionals are left in limbo, balancing career ambitions with prolonged delays in visa approvals, and hoping for smoother access to the US in the coming years.
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