US H-1B Visa Crisis Intensifies: No New Stamping Slots Available in 2026, Interviews Deferred to 2027
In a development causing significant distress for Indian professionals working in the United States, no new H-1B visa stamping dates appear to be available for the remainder of this calendar year. Compounding the issue, new interview dates are being systematically deferred to 2027, creating unprecedented delays and uncertainty for thousands.
Visa Offices Across India Report No Available Slots
The situation is critical at key US diplomatic missions in India. Visa offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata have exhausted their regular interview appointment slots. Immigration experts monitoring the situation have expressed deep concern, stating there is little to no hope for immediate improvement.
The official US State Department website reflects this dire reality. For petition-based visas, including the H, L, O, P, and Q categories, the portal simply displays 'not available' for the waiting period to secure the next interview appointment. This status is reported at consulates worldwide, with Kolkata and Delhi specifically highlighted in the latest updates.
Existing Appointments Pushed to 2027, Adding to Backlog
The crisis has escalated to the point where individuals who had already secured interview dates in January and February of this year are now facing drastic rescheduling. Many have received official emails from their respective consulates informing them that their appointments have been moved to April and May of 2027—a delay of over a year.
This massive pile-up is directly linked to the Trump administration's ongoing reworking of the H-1B program. A pivotal moment came on December 29, 2025, when US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published new rules set to take effect in Fiscal Year 2027.
Policy Shifts Under the Trump Administration
While the annual cap of 85,000 H-1B visas remains unchanged—with 20,000 reserved for applicants holding US postgraduate degrees—the overall visa landscape has tightened considerably. Key policy changes contributing to the current logjam include:
- Mandatory Social Media Screening: A new requirement for all visa applicants, which adds significant time to the processing of each case.
- Reduced Daily Interview Capacity: The added scrutiny per applicant has forced consulates to conduct fewer interviews each day.
- Restriction on Third-Country Stamping: The US has largely eliminated the option for visa stamping in countries other than an applicant's home nation. This policy shift means the entire demand from Indian nationals must now be processed solely by consulates within India, dramatically increasing the burden on these offices.
Legal Experts Paint a Grim Picture
Immigration attorney Emily Neumann provided a stark assessment of the situation, noting she has not heard of any new visa interview slots opening for India in the past 50 days. Her advice to H-1B holders currently in the US is unequivocal: they should avoid attempting to secure a stamping appointment in India under the current circumstances.
"They are not in any hurry to give you a visa," Neumann stated. "They are trying to deny visas whenever they can. It is a completely different world from what we saw during the Biden administration. This administration does not want to give you a visa."
Compounding Issues: Visa Revocations Amid Delays
Amid the severe delays in the stamping process, the US State Department has also begun prudentially revoking existing visas. This practice has extended beyond primary H-1B holders to their dependents. Reports indicate that H-4 visa holders are facing revocation due to their association with H-1B spouses, adding another layer of complexity and anxiety for affected families.
The convergence of deferred appointments, restrictive new policies, and proactive revocations signals a profoundly challenging period for Indian professionals reliant on the H-1B pathway, with no clear resolution in sight for the foreseeable future.
