H-1B Visa Interview Cancellations: India Seeks Relief

India, on Friday, officially voiced its concerns to the United States regarding the abrupt H-1B visa interview cancellations that have disrupted travel, employment timelines, and the personal lives of thousands of Indian professionals. The cancellations, which affected appointments pre-scheduled from mid-December onward, have become a point of diplomatic discussion, as both nations work to address the fallout.

According to reports from individuals and immigration attorneys, many H-1B visa applicants who had locked in interview dates months in advance received last-minute emails notifying them that their appointments were being postponed. In several cases, interviews originally set for December were rescheduled to dates as distant as May of the following year. The unexpected decision appears to stem from enhanced scrutiny measures, including the vetting of applicants’ social media activity and online footprints.

H-1B Visa: Government Response – “We Have Flagged Our Concerns”

At his weekly media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that New Delhi had received multiple complaints. He noted that the matter falls within the sovereign rights of the US immigration system, but stressed that Indian authorities have not stayed silent.

“We have flagged these issues and our concerns to the US side, both here in New Delhi and in Washington DC,” Jaiswal stated, adding that the government is continuously engaging with American officials to seek relief for citizens caught in bureaucratic limbo.

Families and Workers Left Stranded

The impact of the sweeping H-1B visa interview cancellations has been severe. Many of those affected include high-skilled Indian workers employed in the United States who had travelled home for year-end holidays or family reasons. Without renewed stamping, they are unable to return to their workplaces, even though their H-1B visa status within the US remains valid.

For some, the cost is not only professional. Several families with children enrolled in American schools have found themselves separated, while workers are forced to work remotely across time zones or risk losing jobs tied to physical presence in the U.S.

The heaviest cancellations took place between December 15 and December 26—a time many applicants deliberately target because it aligns with the holiday period in the US. Individuals who planned short-term trips are now facing months-long delays, raising concerns about economic stability, immigration security, and workforce continuity in sectors heavily dependent on Indian talent.

H-1B Visa: Enhanced Vetting Behind the Disruptions

Immigration experts believe the rescheduling wave is linked to a tightening of vetting processes for foreign workers. Reports suggest that social media handles, online activity, employment histories, and digital profiles are now being placed under heightened scrutiny by US authorities before visa validation.

While such measures are designed to ensure national security and prevent misuse of visa programs, critics argue that sudden, large-scale disruptions without transitional planning place undue pressure on applicants and corporate employers alike.