H-1B Visa Interview Dates in India Delayed to 2027 — Major Disruption for Indian Professionals
New Delhi / Bengaluru, January 27, 2026 — Thousands of Indian professionals seeking U.S. H-1B work visa stamping appointments are facing unprecedented delays, with interview slots at U.S. consulates across India pushed deep into 2027. The development marks a significant disruption in visa processing that threatens careers, mobility and business plans for workers and employers alike.
According to multiple reports, routine H-1B interview appointments — typically scheduled months in advance — have now been deferred beyond 2026, with many applicants receiving new dates in April, May or later in 2027. Consulates in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata are showing virtually no “regular” interview availability for the remainder of this year, leaving Indian H-1B applicants in limbo.
What’s Behind the Delays?
Analysts and immigration experts attribute the delays to a confluence of policy changes and operational bottlenecks:
1. Expanded Vetting Requirements
Beginning in December 2025, the U.S. State Department introduced expanded online presence and social media screening for employment-based visas such as H-1B and H-4. This enhanced vetting adds time to every visa case, significantly reducing the number of interviews that consular officers can conduct per day.
2. System Backlog and Rescheduling Wave
Appointments originally scheduled for late 2025 and early 2026 were first shifted to later dates in 2026. But as the backlog deepened, many have now been deferred to 2027 — often more than a year later than originally planned. In some reported cases, appointments once set for early 2026 have been rescheduled to February–May 2027.
3. End of Third-Country Stamping Options
Previously, some applicants could obtain visa interviews at U.S. consulates outside India (e.g., Singapore or the UAE) to avoid delays. Recent restrictions on these third-country visa options have funneled all demand back to India’s mission posts, further straining capacity.
Widespread Impact on Workers and Families
The prolonged wait times are not just statistics — they are affecting individuals, families and employers:
Travel and Career Disruption: H-1B holders living in the U.S. are now being advised against returning to Indiafor stamping, as they may not be able to secure a timely interview or return to their jobs if stuck without a valid stamp.
Stranded Families: Many families who traveled to India for vacations or personal reasons find themselves unable to return to the U.S. because of postponed dates, causing emotional and financial strain.
Employer Concerns: U.S. companies dependent on skilled Indian talent — particularly in the technology sector— are facing uncertainty in workforce planning due to visa disruptions.
Voices From the Ground
Affected applicants are sharing their experiences on social platforms and forums:
“My February 2026 interview in Chennai was rescheduled to May 24, 2027 — there’s no clearer timeline,” one applicant wrote online, capturing the frustration many are voicing.
Immigration attorneys warn that with interview capacity dramatically reduced and no clear roadmap for reopening slots, many applicants may have no option but to wait out the backlog well into next year.
U.S. Government and Official Guidance
While U.S. consulates have not issued a formal public timeline explaining when normal scheduling might resume, official visa appointment portals for categories including H-1B display “Not Available” for many Indian posts — an indication that no regular slots are currently open.
The State Department has defended enhanced vetting as a national security measure, stating that thorough review of social media and digital presence is necessary to address risks associated with visa adjudication.
What Comes Next?
Experts suggest several possibilities for applicants:
Monitoring for Emergency / Expedited Slots: Although rare, emergency interview requests could offer limited relief for urgent cases.
Staying Updated: Applicants are advised to regularly check the official U.S. visa appointment system for occasional new openings.
Legal and Employer Support: Many are turning to immigration attorneys and employer HR teams for guidance on managing travel and visa strategies during the backlog.
In summary: What began as a scheduling slowdown has snowballed into a systemic backlog, pushing H-1B visa interview dates in India well into 2027. With enhanced vetting policies, reduced consular capacity and no immediate sign of improvement, Indian professionals and international employers are confronting one of the most severe U.S. visa disruptions in recent years.
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