H-1B Visa Interview Delays Worsen for Indian Applicants

Indian professionals face another major setback in their US visa process. Hundreds of H-1B and H-4 visa interview slots have been abruptly postponed. Appointments initially set for early 2026 are now pushed to October 2026.

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The delays create immense personal and professional uncertainty. Applicants report growing frustration and helplessness. Families remain separated due to the continued visa processing backlog.

New data shows a severe extension of wait times. Appointments once scheduled for February and March 2026 have vanished. They have been rescheduled for much later in October 2026.

This confirms a troubling trend reported by immigration lawyers. According to The American Bazaar, similar postponements are widespread. Interviews set for mid-January 2026 are also moved to late 2026.

Officials cite expanded social media screening as a key cause. This additional security step requires more processing time. The consequence is a domino effect of cancellations and rescheduling.

Applicants who had made travel plans are now stranded. Some left their jobs or homes to attend interviews. They discovered their appointments were simply canceled without prompt notice.

The situation fuels anxiety across online forums and groups. Professionals share stories of disrupted lives and careers. The constant uncertainty is taking a significant mental toll.

Impact on Families and Legal Avenues

The human cost of these delays is steep. Many applicants are separated from spouses and children. The extended timeline deepens this family separation indefinitely.

Legal options for affected individuals appear limited. Immigration attorneys see few remedies for these administrative delays. According to legal sources, suing the government is rarely effective.

Lawyers advise practical steps instead. They recommend negotiating remote work options with US employers. Maintaining detailed records of all communications is also crucial.

Some applicants are resorting to peer-to-peer strategies. They urge others with early 2026 slots to cancel them. The hope is that those slots will then open for more urgent cases.

This reflects the level of desperation within the community. The backlog is not just a procedural issue. It is a life-altering problem for thousands of skilled workers.

Broader Context of US Visa Processing

The H-1B visa is a cornerstone of US tech industry hiring. It allows companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. Major delays directly impact American business operations.

Reports from Reuters highlight global visa processing challenges. Post-pandemic demand surge continues to strain consular resources. India represents one of the largest applicant pools worldwide.

Consulates are working to increase staffing and efficiency. However, the backlog reduction will take considerable time. Applicants are advised to prepare for continued unpredictability.

The ongoing H-1B visa interview delays represent a critical bottleneck for global talent mobility. Indian professionals must navigate a system clouded by uncertainty. Their careers and family lives remain in a prolonged state of limbo.