The ongoing H-1B visa stamping delays in India have led to numerous accounts on social media of Indians being stuck in India or unable to travel to India, even during family emergencies. After an Indian man shared the heartbreaking situation of not being able to visit his mother in India before she died, a techie-doctor couple shared their story of considering a move to Dubai.
The couple's story was shared by immigration analyst Sam Peak, who did not reveal their names and took their permission before sharing it on social media. The man is a techie who has been working in the US for over a decade, and his wife is a top cardiologist at a top-tier hospital on the East Coast.
The techie said he has a National Interest Waiver (NIW), which means his work is so important to the US that he is eligible for a faster Green Card without requiring employer sponsorship. However, despite this waiver, he is stuck in a long queue because of the backlog in the system.
His wife faces a similar situation. She is an elite cardiologist who has published extensive research and is considered a rockstar in heart health. However, she has not been able to fly home to see her family or her dog in over three years. Every time she considers leaving, the nightmare of trying to get a visa appointment to return stops them cold.
The techie wrote about how they believe in the American Dream and how his doctor wife has to swear an oath of allegiance just to do her job. But they are exhausted from being told they are essential yet treated as temporary. They are now seriously considering moving to Dubai, as they cannot put their lives and ability to see family on hold for another decade.
Why H-1B holders in the US can't visit India
H-1B visa holders in the US receive a stamp in their passport that is required to enter the US. The validity of that stamp is around three years, corresponding to the validity of their H-1B visa. After three years, they may get their visa extended but the stamp remains expired. A new stamp can only be obtained at consulates in the home country.
Many H-1B visa holders continue to stay in the US with an expired stamp since the stamp is only needed to re-enter the US. Before visiting India, they typically schedule an appointment at a consulate for fresh stamping. However, since December 2025, there has been a crisis over stamping delays, with all dates rescheduled and slots now open only in 2027.
