US Consulates in India Extend H-1B Visa Stamping Interviews to 2027
Multiple reports have confirmed that US consulates across India have extended H-1B visa stamping interview appointments until 2027. This significant delay has created widespread uncertainty among Indian professionals seeking to work in the United States.
Visa Interview Slots Unavailable Until Next Year
According to reports from NDTV, Money Control, and Times of India, visa offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata currently have no available visa interview slots until next year. The delays began in December 2025, when consulates initially rescheduled appointments from that month to March 2026.
Those interviews were subsequently moved to October 2026, and now many dates have been pushed further into 2027. This cascading postponement has disrupted travel schedules and employment plans for thousands of Indian professionals.
Causes of the Extended Delays
The primary reason behind these extensive delays is the Trump administration's tightened scrutiny and enhanced vetting of H-1B visa applicants. Under the "America first" vision, the US government has significantly increased examination of applications to address perceived abuse of the H-1B program while still allowing companies to hire temporary foreign workers.
In December last year, the US Embassy in India encouraged applicants to apply as early as possible and anticipate additional processing time for these visa classifications. The enhanced scrutiny has substantially slowed the entire visa approval process.
India's Dominance in H-1B Demand
India accounts for the majority of global H-1B demand. According to Statista data, in the fiscal year 2024, 283,397 Indian nationals received H-1B visas, representing approximately 71 percent of all H-1B approvals worldwide.
The H-1B program is particularly dominant in the IT sector and other industries that rely heavily on college graduates, making these delays especially impactful for India's professional workforce.
Recent Changes to H-1B Visa Regulations
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has implemented several significant changes to the H-1B visa regime:
- In December 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security announced a rule implementing a weighted selection process favoring allocation of H-1B visas to "higher-skilled and higher-paid aliens."
- The annual quota remains capped at 85,000 visas for fiscal year 2026, including 20,000 reserved for applicants with US postgraduate degrees.
- This final rule becomes effective on February 27, 2026, and will govern the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration season.
- The Trump administration introduced an electronic registration process and a substantial $100,000 H-1B visa fee implemented on September 21, 2025.
- USCIS may now require H-1B beneficiaries to provide biometrics (fingerprints, photograph, signature) for identity verification, often through Request for Evidence procedures.
- Starting December 15, 2025, the US Department of State mandated enhanced social media vetting for all H-1B and H-4 dependent visa applicants.
Impact on Indian Professionals
The extended delays are creating significant problems for Indian professionals working in or aspiring to work in the United States. According to Money Control, the deferral of H-1B visa-stamping interviews until 2027 has upended travel schedules and employment plans for thousands.
Compounding the issue, the State Department has withdrawn the facility that previously allowed Indian nationals to seek visa stamping in third countries. Consequently, all applications are now funneled back to Indian missions, increasing pressure on already overwhelmed consulates.
Immigration attorney Emily Neumann told the Times of India that H-1B holders currently in the US should avoid seeking appointment for visa stamping in India. "They are not in any hurry to give you a visa. 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 visa," Neumann stated.
The fate of Indian professionals who aspire to work in the US on H-1B visas now hangs in uncertainty as they navigate these extended delays and enhanced scrutiny measures.
