A sudden and massive delay in H-1B visa stamping appointments has left thousands of Indian professionals stranded in their home country, facing an uncertain future and separation from their lives in the United States. The crisis, triggered by a new social media vetting process, has seen appointments pushed back by a minimum of six months, turning what many planned as short trips into an indefinite wait.
The Stranding: A Brutal Reality for H-1B Holders
Indian-origin CEO Vijay Thirumalai has spoken out against the mocking tone some on social media have taken regarding Indians being 'stranded in India.' He emphasized the severe personal toll of the situation. "People who mock the concept of being stranded, have no idea what is going thru," Thirumalai stated. He highlighted that those affected have their homes, jobs, children's schools, and entire lives in the US. A planned two-week trip has now stretched to three or four months, with no clear end in sight. "It is brutal," he noted, expressing solidarity with those caught in the bureaucratic limbo.
Root Cause: Social Media Vetting Triggers Mass Cancellations
The unprecedented delays stem from a new social media vetting process implemented by the US State Department, which began on December 15. As visa officers now manually check applicants' social media profiles, the procedure is taking significantly longer. Consequently, US consulates across India have drastically reduced the number of visa appointments they can process each day.
This has led to mass rescheduling. Appointments originally set for December have been pushed to dates after March, while January appointments have been deferred as far as November. The move has created unprecedented uncertainty. While H-1B holders still in the US can postpone travel, those who already traveled to India for stamping are now stuck for an indefinite period.
CEO's Advice: Exit the H-1B 'Quagmire' for a Green Card
Reflecting on the crisis, Vijay Thirumalai advised Indian professionals on the H-1B visa to aim for a more permanent solution. He called the current system a "quagmire" and urged holders to prioritize obtaining a Green Card (GC). He warned that immigration is likely to become more difficult due to hostile political rhetoric and potential job losses from AI.
"Do all you can to get yourself a GC," he urged. Thirumalai discouraged listening to voices suggesting a return to India, arguing that professionals have already invested years building a life and career in the US. He suggested investing another four to five years to secure a GC and US passport, which he called building "optionality for the best of all worlds." He contrasted this with India's macroeconomic challenges, noting the USD/INR exchange rate and suggesting conditions could worsen.
The current visa stamping deadlock underscores the fragile nature of non-immigrant work visas and has sparked a urgent conversation about long-term immigration planning for Indian professionals in America.
