India Raises H-1B Visa Delays with US Amid Applicant Uncertainty

• India has flagged concerns to the US regarding H-1B visa interview cancellations and postponements affecting many Indian applicants.
• Thousands of H-1B interviews scheduled from mid-December were abruptly deferred due to enhanced scrutiny, including social media checks.
• Many Indian nationals are stranded, unable to return to the US for work, facing significant hardships.
• The US is replacing the H-1B random lottery with a new system prioritizing higher-skilled/paid applicants, effective Feb 2026.
• New rules aim to protect American workers, prevent abuse, and include a USD 100,000 additional fee on new H-1B applications.

Why It Matters: India addresses H-1B visa delays and US policy changes impacting Indian professionals.