H-1B Holders Stranded in India: Visa Appointments Cancelled, Rescheduled to 2026/27

• Hundreds of Indian H-1B visa holders are stranded in India after their routine visa stamping appointments were abruptly cancelled and rescheduled, some into 2026 or 2027.
• The cancellations are linked to new "online presence reviews" and expanded social-media screening, reducing the number of interviews US missions can conduct daily.
• India is disproportionately affected due to its high volume of H-1B visa holders (71%) and December being a peak travel month for renewals.
• Stranded workers face family separation, job insecurity, and financial strain, as a valid visa stamp is mandatory for re-entry into the US.
• Options are limited to waiting for new dates, requesting expedited appointments (rarely granted), or working remotely from India if employers permit.

Why It Matters: H-1B visa holders face unprecedented delays in India due to new US screening, causing widespread uncertainty.