Thousands of Indian professionals holding or seeking renewal of United States H-1B work visas are facing serious difficulties after U.S. consulates in India abruptly cancelled a large number of visa interview appointments. The sudden move has left many applicants stranded in India, unable to return to their jobs in the United States and uncertain about when fresh appointments will be available.
According to affected applicants, visa interview slots that had been confirmed weeks or even months in advance were cancelled without detailed explanations. Most of the cancelled appointments were scheduled for December, a period when many professionals travel to India during the holiday season to renew their visas while continuing employment with U.S.-based companies.
The cancellations have primarily impacted professionals in the technology sector, including software engineers, data analysts, and IT consultants. Many of them had already received H-1B approvals and were only awaiting visa stamping to re-enter the United States. With their interviews cancelled, they are now unable to resume work physically from U.S. offices, placing their employment status at risk.
U.S. authorities have cited administrative and operational reasons for the cancellations. Officials have indicated that enhanced scrutiny and changes in processing procedures have slowed down visa operations, resulting in fewer available interview slots. In several cases, applicants have been informed that new appointment dates may only be available after several months, extending well into the next year.
The situation has caused widespread anxiety among Indian professionals and their families. Many have rented accommodation in India temporarily, extended leave from work, or shifted to remote work arrangements where possible. However, not all employers are able to offer long-term remote options, raising fears of job loss or salary cuts.
Immigration experts have pointed out that there is limited legal recourse for applicants once appointments are cancelled. They have advised affected individuals to stay in close coordination with their employers, preserve all official communications, and regularly monitor the visa appointment system for any newly released slots.
Large multinational companies employing significant numbers of H-1B workers have reportedly issued internal advisories cautioning employees against non-essential international travel. Employers are also reassessing project timelines and workforce deployment as uncertainty continues around visa processing.
The episode highlights ongoing challenges in the U.S. visa system, particularly for Indian nationals who form the largest share of H-1B visa holders. While U.S. authorities have maintained that visa services will gradually stabilize, the immediate future remains uncertain for thousands of professionals caught in the middle of the disruption.
For now, affected applicants are left waiting for clarity on rescheduled appointments, hoping for quicker resolution to a situation that has disrupted careers, finances, and personal lives alike.