- Tech Employees Face Uncertainty
- Families Caught in Backlog
- Growing Concern Among Applicants
Article Today, America:
Indian information technology professionals seeking to travel to the United States are facing prolonged uncertainty. Waiting periods for H-1B visa interview slots have now stretched into multiple years. Fresh applicants report that available dates extend as far as 2027, raising concerns across the technology sector.
Slots Fully Booked Nationwide
Visa applicants across Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and other major centres report that interview slots are unavailable. Official appointment portals consistently show no open dates. As a result, professionals with urgent travel needs remain stranded, while those employed in the U.S. hesitate to visit India for visa stamping.
Extended Waiting Timelines
Applicants currently seeking appointments are being assigned dates nearly eighteen months away. In several cases, existing appointments scheduled for early 2026 have been deferred to mid-2027. Therefore, many workers now face the prospect of long-term uncertainty regarding employment continuity and travel plans.
Policy Tightening Impact
Meanwhile, changes in visa processing have coincided with policy tightening under the administration of Donald Trump. Although the annual H-1B cap of 85,000 visas remains unchanged, scrutiny levels have increased. Processing times per application have risen, reducing the number of interviews conducted daily.
Heightened Scrutiny Measures
In addition, authorities have expanded background verification. Social media accounts of applicants are now reviewed as part of the assessment process. Officials examine online activity and public posts before making decisions. Consequently, processing timelines have lengthened significantly.
Pressure on Indian Consulates
The option of visa stamping in third countries has also been curtailed. This has increased pressure on Indian consular offices. Over the past several weeks, applicants report that no new interview slots have been released, further compounding delays.
Families Affected by Backlog
The impact extends beyond employees. Dependents applying for H-4 visas face similar delays and rejections. Families remain separated for extended periods, while uncertainty over legal status adds to emotional and financial stress.
Advisory From Experts
Therefore, immigration experts are advising caution. They recommend avoiding travel to India solely for visa stamping until appointment availability improves. According to analysts, the prolonged visa backlog could disrupt workforce mobility and affect India’s technology services sector in the coming years.
