Washington: Several Indian professionals holding H-1B visas have been left stranded in India after US consular offices abruptly cancelled visa renewal appointments scheduled this month, triggering uncertainty for both employees and their US employers.
According to a report by The Washington Post, three immigration lawyers said interviews fixed for December 15 and December 26 were cancelled without prior notice. Many visa holders had travelled to India specifically to renew their work permits and are now unable to return to the United States.
Emails sent by the United States Department of State to applicants said the delays were due to the rollout of an expanded social media and online presence screening process. The measure is part of a policy introduced under former president Donald Trump, aimed at ensuring that visa applicants do not pose a threat to US national security or public safety.
Clarifying the situation, the US Embassy in India said on December 10 that the enhanced screening has now been extended to all H-1B workers and their H-4 dependent family members. Previously, such checks were limited to student and exchange visitor visa categories, including F, M and J visas. From December 15 onwards, the policy applies to H-1B and H-4 applicants as well, an embassy spokesperson said.
Compounding the issue, H-1B visa holders are no longer permitted to renew their visas in a third country, following a policy announcement made in July. Separately, a proclamation signed by Trump on September 19 introduced a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. The fee applies to fresh petitions filed after September 21 and to the 2026 H-1B lottery, while existing visa holders and previously filed applications have been exempted.
Immigration experts said the combined impact of cancelled appointments, stricter screening and higher costs has created anxiety among Indian professionals and disrupted workforce planning for US companies that rely heavily on H-1B employees.
