As the Trump administration has increased scrutiny of H-1B visa applicants, US consulates in India have reportedly extended visa stamping interview dates until 2027. Several reports have claimed that there are no slots available at visa offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata until next year. This affected many Indians hoping to work in the US on an H-1B visa.
The individuals most affected by this H-1B visa delay include technology and IT workers – software engineers, data scientists, AI specialists; according to Manifest Law attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar, consulting and financial services professionals, healthcare professionals, mid-career professionals in leadership or client roles.
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Are you waiting for an H-1B visa stamping interview? Here’s how to make the most of your wait time
Attorney Urizar told Mint, “Strategic planning is key.” She said she advises her clients to avoid international travel unless absolutely necessary, especially if a stamp is required.
She said one should work with an immigration attorney to map out long-term options, including H-1B extensions, amendments or permanent residency strategies (PERM, EB-1 or NIW where appropriate).
Other key points, the lawyer said, to keep in mind:
1. Ensure all submissions are clean, consistent and well-documented, knowing that officers review cases more comprehensively
2. Pay attention to your social media presence; discrepancies between online activity and visa agencies can raise red flags
3. Employers should plan for the contingencies of telecommuting and workforce flexibility where possible
4. Buy tickets with fully refundable options
5. Consider other non-lottery visas, such as the O-1
6. Consider self-sponsoring options for permanent residency trips to avoid being tied to an employer
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She said H-1B and H-4 holders need to think years ahead, not months ahead. “The system works, but it moves more slowly and with more control, and proactive planning is now essential, not optional,” she added.
Can we expect more delays?
Yes. Attorney Urizar said further delays are very likely, especially through 2026 and beyond.
She said consulates are dealing with backlogs from previous years, prioritizing FIFA ticket holders, facing staffing restrictions, implementing increased security measures, implementing fraud prevention measures and expanding social media and background monitoring protocols.
She also points out that processing visas is no longer just about documents. “Enhanced vetting, including social media vetting, is contributing to longer processing times, especially for high-volume submissions like India,” she said.
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Attorney Urizar also argued that while appointment dates technically exist, cases are often subject to 221(g) administrative processing, which can add weeks or months after an interview. “So the date of appointment alone does not guarantee the timely issuance of visas,” she said.
How will these delays affect Indian professionals?
For many Indian professionals, international travel is becoming a calculated risk. Leaving the U.S. can mean being stuck abroad for months or even years, despite having valid employment, approved petitions and ongoing projects in the U.S., and the possibility of even losing your job, the lawyer said.
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“From a professional perspective, employers may delay career advancement opportunities or global assignments due to the uncertainty of travel. From a personal perspective, families can be separated, and H-4 spouses and children often bear the brunt of these delays,” she said.
