US Visa Chaos Strands H-1B Holders in India: Interviews Cancelled, Rescheduled to 2027

• Hundreds of Indian H-1B visa holders are stranded in India after US consulates abruptly cancelled visa renewal interviews in December, with many rescheduled to 2026 or even 2027.
• The crisis stems from a Trump-era policy expanding social media and online presence screening for H-1B and H-4 visas, which the US State Department cites for national security vetting.
• The unexpected delays have caused severe personal and financial hardship, with workers unable to return to jobs, spouses, or children in the US, leading to unpaid leave and disrupted lives.
• India is disproportionately affected as its nationals constitute 71% of all H-1B holders, impacting major US companies like Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft.
• Immigration attorneys describe the situation as an "unprecedented mess," warning of potential employer costs and suggesting a deeper political motive behind the increased scrutiny on the H-1B program.

Why It Matters: US visa policy shift and enhanced vetting have stranded Indian H-1B holders, causing widespread disruption.