The US visa appointment backlog has worsened significantly across multiple countries, with India emerging as one of the most affected. Interviews are now mandatory for petition-based visas including H, L, O, P, and Q categories at most consulates worldwide, including major Indian centres such as Delhi and Kolkata. As a result, thousands of applicants are facing prolonged uncertainty, with wait times stretching well beyond earlier estimates.
The situation has escalated sharply following changes to the H-1B programme under the Trump administration. Applicants who originally secured interview slots for January and February have reportedly received emails from US consulates informing them that their appointments have been rescheduled to as late as April–May 2027. Immigration experts warn that there is little indication of relief in the near future, raising serious concerns about job security and family stability for affected visa holders.
A major contributor to the pile-up is the overhaul of H-1B rules announced by US Citizenship and Immigration Services on December 29, 2025, for FY 2027. While the annual cap remains unchanged at 85,000 visas—including 20,000 reserved for US postgraduate degree holders—the procedural tightening has slowed processing. Mandatory interviews for more categories have further strained already overburdened consular systems.
Additional policy shifts have compounded delays. The US has introduced mandatory social media screening for visa applicants, significantly increasing scrutiny and processing time per case. At the same time, restrictions on third-country visa stamping mean Indian applicants must now rely almost entirely on consulates within India, sharply increasing demand at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata missions.
Immigration attorney Emily Neumann said she has not seen any new interview slots open for India in the past 50 days. She advised H-1B holders currently in the US to avoid travelling to India for visa stamping, warning that approvals are far from guaranteed. According to Neumann, the current administration is actively tightening visa approvals, marking a stark contrast to policies followed during the Biden era.
Adding to applicant anxiety, the US State Department has reportedly begun revoking certain visas amid the broader policy review. With no clear roadmap for easing restrictions, experts caution that the visa backlog could continue well into 2026 and beyond, leaving skilled professionals, employers, and families navigating an increasingly uncertain immigration landscape.
