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Indian H-1B professionals flew home expecting quick visa renewals- but many are now stranded. With sudden appointment cancellations, new vetting rules, and lawyers calling it the “biggest mess” yet, what went wrong in the US visa system?
H-1B visa delays leave Indian workers in limbo
New Delhi: Hundreds of Indian professionals working in the United States have been left stranded in India after sudden delays and cancellations of H-1B visa renewal appointments. Immigration lawyers have sharply criticised the US government’s handling of the situation, calling it one of the most severe disruptions they have witnessed in years.
The crisis unfolded after several US consular offices abruptly rescheduled visa renewal interviews between December 15 and December 26, a period that coincided with the holiday season. Many workers had travelled to India expecting a routine renewal process, only to find themselves unable to return to their jobs in the US.
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Immigration attorneys representing affected workers say the scale of the disruption is alarming. Emily Neumann, a partner at Houston-based law firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC, said at least 100 of her clients are currently stuck in India. Other lawyers, including Veena Vijay Ananth and Atlanta-based attorney Charles Kuck, reported dozens of similar cases.
“This is the biggest mess we have seen,” the lawyers reported, expressing concern over the lack of clarity and planning from US authorities. Lawyers also raised questions about how long US companies will be willing to wait for skilled employees who are unable to return due to visa delays.
According to an April 2025 report by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Indian nationals make up nearly 71% of all H-1B visa holders. The visa program is crucial for U.S. industries such as technology, healthcare, engineering, and finance, which rely heavily on skilled foreign professionals.
The sudden disruption has therefore not only affected individuals but also raised concerns among employers facing project delays and staffing shortages.
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The US State Department has attributed the delays to expanded social media and online presence vetting introduced under the Donald Trump administration. Officials said the goal is to ensure that visa applicants do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
A spokesperson stated that embassies and consulates are now prioritising detailed vetting over faster processing. The U.S. Embassy in India confirmed that, starting December 15, social media reviews now apply to all H-1B workers and their H-4 dependents.
The situation has been further complicated by recent policy shifts. Earlier this year, the U.S. government ended third-country visa renewals for H-1B holders and introduced a $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications after September 21.
As uncertainty continues, stranded workers and their employers remain anxious, awaiting clearer guidance and faster resolution from U.S. authorities.
