Washington: Hundreds of Indian professionals working in the United States on H-1B visas have found themselves unexpectedly stuck in India after travelling home to renew their work permits, following sudden changes to visa processing at U.S. consular offices.
According to immigration lawyers quoted by The Washington Post, interview slots scheduled between December 15 and December 26 were abruptly postponed, leaving many applicants unable to return to their jobs in the U.S. The cancellations coincided with the rollout of expanded security screening measures introduced by the Trump administration.
Emails reviewed by the newspaper show that applicants were informed their interviews were being delayed due to enhanced social media and online background checks. The U.S. State Department said the move was aimed at ensuring visa applicants do not pose risks to national security or public safety.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Embassy in India confirmed that online vetting—previously limited to student and exchange visas such as F, M and J categories—was extended to include H-1B specialty occupation workers and their H-4 dependents starting December 15.
Immigration attorneys say the disruption has affected a significant number of people. Emily Neumann, a partner at Houston-based firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC, said more than 100 of her clients are currently unable to return to the U.S. Similar concerns were echoed by India-based lawyer Veena Vijay Ananth and Atlanta attorney Charles Kuck, who each reported handling multiple such cases.
“This is unlike anything we’ve seen before,” Ananth said, adding that there appears to be little clarity on how long the delays may last.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department defended the shift, saying embassies and consulates worldwide are now prioritising detailed vetting over faster processing, even if that leads to longer wait times.
India accounts for the largest share of H-1B visa holders, representing about 71 per cent of the total, according to a recent report by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The situation follows a series of policy changes affecting skilled foreign workers. In July, the State Department announced that H-1B holders would no longer be permitted to renew visas in third countries. In September, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions filed after September 21, though existing visa holders and earlier petitions were exempted.
One affected professional living near Detroit told the newspaper he had travelled to India in early December for a family wedding, with interviews scheduled later that month. Both appointments were cancelled, leaving him uncertain about when he can return to his job.
With companies waiting for employees to rejoin their teams, lawyers warn that prolonged delays could strain both workers and employers. “The real question,” Neumann said, “is how long businesses can afford to wait.”
