Indian professionals seeking H-1B visas to work in the United States are facing significant delays, with interview slots now unavailable until 2027 at US consulates in India. This disruption stems from a growing backlog that began in December 2025, impacting both first-time applicants and those seeking renewals.
The Consular offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata are currently experiencing a lack of regular interview slots. The delays initially surfaced in December 2025, with appointments being rescheduled from December 2025 to March 2026, then again to October 2026, and now pushed further into 2027. Applicants who had interview dates in January and February have received notifications that their appointments have been deferred to April-May 2027.
Several factors have contributed to this extensive backlog. The US government has implemented changes to the H-1B visa system, including new rules introduced by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on December 29, 2025, for the 2027 financial year. While the annual visa cap remains at 85,000, which includes 20,000 visas reserved for applicants with US postgraduate degrees, policy changes have slowed down the overall processing.
A key policy change is the mandatory social media screening for employment-based visa applicants, which was implemented on December 15, 2025. These additional checks require more processing time, resulting in fewer interviews being conducted daily. Furthermore, the US State Department's decision to eliminate "third-country" visa stamping for Indian nationals has funneled all applications back to the five consulates in India, exacerbating the backlog.
The delays are causing considerable distress for Indian professionals, with many separated from their families and jobs in the US. The prolonged wait times are disrupting career plans, job transitions, and personal commitments. Employers are also facing challenges in workforce planning due to the uncertainty surrounding visa approvals, with some resorting to remote work waivers or relocating work to countries like Canada or Mexico where Indian staff can temporarily reside on intra-company permits.
Immigration lawyers report a surge in calls from concerned clients and Fortune 500 companies whose project timelines are being affected. Some applicants are exploring options for interviews in other countries, but availability remains limited. Experts warn that the delays could persist if processing capacity is not improved.
Amidst the chaos, some travelers are using visa concierge services like VisaHQ to stay informed about shifting timelines, secure scarce interview slots, and minimize disruptions to their projects. While expedited appointments are theoretically available for medical emergencies, staffing shortages are causing delays even for these requests.
The situation is also drawing attention to the potential loss of STEM talent to other countries with more efficient visa processing systems. One partner at a Houston-based law firm suggests that Indians already in the US should postpone non-essential travel and that companies should budget for premium processing upgrades and legal fees when making global mobility plans involving India.
The US Embassy and Consulates in India advise applicants for H-1B, H-4, F, M, or J nonimmigrant visas to adjust the privacy settings on their social media accounts to "public" to facilitate the necessary vetting process. Although new appointments are added regularly and applicants can check the appointment scheduling system to move to an earlier slot if available, the current situation presents a major challenge for Indian professionals seeking to work in the United States.
