H-1B Visa Crisis: Interview Slots in India Now Pushed to 2027—What You Need to Know

H-1B visa interview slots unavailable across India; new dates pushed to 2027

For thousands of Indian tech workers, the American dream just got a lot further away.

In a development that’s sending shockwaves through the IT industry, US consulates across India—including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata—are showing **no available H-1B visa interview slots for the remainder of 2026**. The earliest appointments? Not until **2027**. This unprecedented backlog isn’t just a scheduling glitch—it’s the result of a perfect storm of stricter US immigration policies, heightened security checks, and the elimination of a critical workaround: third-country visa stamping.

If you’re an Indian professional holding an approved H-1B petition but stuck outside the US, this delay could mean losing your job, missing project deadlines, or even having your visa revoked. Let’s break down what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what—if anything—you can do about it.

Table of Contents

The H-1B Visa Crisis: What’s Really Happening?

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations—primarily in tech, engineering, and finance. Each year, tens of thousands of Indian professionals rely on it to work legally in the United States.

But here’s the catch: even after your H-1B petition is approved by USCIS, you must attend an in-person interview at a US consulate to get your visa “stamped” in your passport before entering the country. Right now, that final step is effectively blocked for Indians due to a complete lack of appointment availability.

According to the US Department of State’s official visa appointment system, all regular H-1B interview slots in India are fully booked through December 2026, with new openings only appearing in early 2027 . Emergency appointments remain available—but only for truly urgent cases like medical emergencies or critical infrastructure roles, and approval is rare.

Why Are Interview Slots Unavailable Until 2027?

This isn’t accidental. Three major factors are driving the crisis:

  1. Reduced Consular Capacity: US consulates in India have not fully restored pre-pandemic staffing levels, limiting daily interview volumes.
  2. Increased Scrutiny per Application: Each H-1B case now undergoes deeper background checks, including social media reviews and extended administrative processing.
  3. Ban on Third-Country Stamping: Previously, applicants could fly to Canada, Mexico, or even Nepal for faster interviews. The US has now restricted H-1B stamping to the applicant’s home country—meaning Indians must apply in India .

Together, these changes have created a bottleneck with no quick fix in sight.

Key US Policy Changes Fueling the Backlog

Recent US immigration directives have significantly tightened the H-1B process:

  • Social Media Screening: Since late 2025, consular officers routinely review applicants’ public social media profiles for “inconsistent statements” or “security concerns.”
  • Stricter Employer Verification: Companies must now provide detailed proof of project assignments, client letters, and payroll records—delays in documentation push cases into administrative limbo.
  • Visa Revocations: Reports indicate a rise in H-1B approvals being revoked during the stamping stage due to minor discrepancies .

“The goal seems to be deterrence through delay,” says immigration attorney Priya Mehta. “They’re not saying ‘no’—they’re just making it so hard that many give up.”

Who Is Most Affected by These Delays?

While all H-1B applicants in India are impacted, certain groups face the highest risk:

  • New H-1B Beneficiaries: First-time applicants who won the lottery but haven’t entered the US yet.
  • Returning Workers: Those on leave or furlough who need to re-stamp before re-entering.
  • Spouses on H-4 Visas: Their dependent visas are tied to the primary H-1B holder’s status.

Many are now forced to work remotely from India—a situation that’s unsustainable for both employees and employers due to time zone differences, data security policies, and tax complications.

Possible Alternatives and Workarounds

Though options are limited, some strategies may help:

  • Request Expedited Appointments: Submit a compelling emergency request via the US Visa Service Portal—but success rates are below 5%.
  • Explore L-1 or O-1 Visas: If eligible, these categories sometimes have shorter wait times (though they come with their own hurdles).
  • Negotiate Remote Extensions: Work with your employer to extend remote work arrangements while waiting.
  • Consider Relocation Within India: Some report slightly earlier slots in smaller consulates, though data is inconsistent.

For more guidance, see our resource on [INTERNAL_LINK:us-visa-alternatives-for-indian-tech-workers].

How Tech Companies Are Responding

Major IT firms like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro are scrambling to adjust:

  • Some are shifting projects to local delivery centers in India.
  • Others are offering retention bonuses to keep stranded employees engaged.
  • A few are lobbying the US government through industry groups like NASSCOM and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

“This isn’t just an immigration issue—it’s a business continuity risk,” said a senior HR executive at a Fortune 500 company, speaking anonymously.

Conclusion: A System Under Strain

The H-1B visa backlog pushing interviews to 2027 is more than an administrative inconvenience—it’s a structural shift in US immigration policy with real human and economic costs. For Indian professionals, it means years of uncertainty. For US companies, it means talent shortages and operational delays. Until the US addresses consular capacity and streamlines vetting processes, this crisis will only deepen. In the meantime, affected individuals must stay informed, explore every legal avenue, and prepare for a long wait.

Sources

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