A “perfect storm” of policy shifts and new security mandates has effectively halted routine H-1B visa processing in India. US consulates in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata have pushed regular interview slots into mid-2027, leaving thousands of Indian professionals in a state of high-stakes limbo.
The “Vetting Bottleneck”: What Changed?
The primary driver of the backlog is a new mandate effective December 15, 2025, requiring mandatory social media screening for all employment-based visa applicants and their H-4 dependents.
- The Time Sink: Consular officers must now audit five years of public social media history for every applicant. This process adds approximately 30 minutes to each case.
- Capacity Cut: To accommodate this intensive review, consulates have reportedly slashed their daily interview capacity by nearly 50%, triggering a massive rescheduling wave that pushed early 2026 dates into late 2027.
New Rules for the FY 2027 Lottery
Adding to the complexity, the US has overhauled the H-1B selection process for the 2027 fiscal year:
- Wage-Based Selection: The random lottery has been replaced by a system that favors higher earners. Level IV (highest paid) workers receive four entries in the lottery pool, while Level I (entry-level) workers receive only one.
- $100,000 Entry Fee: A controversial Presidential Proclamation now imposes a significant fee on certain new H-1B petitions for beneficiaries located outside the US, leading many firms to pivot toward hiring talent already residing in the States.
Risks of “Prudential Revocation”
Immigration attorneys are warning of a spike in prudential revocations. Under this policy, the State Department can void a current visa if new information—such as an old minor legal infraction (e.g., a DUI) or a social media post deemed inconsistent with visa status—is discovered during the vetting process. This is increasingly affecting H-4 spouses who are being called for interviews due to records linked to the principal H-1B holder.
Practical Advice for H-1B Holders
The current landscape has transformed routine travel into a significant career risk. Experts suggest:
- Avoid Non-Essential Travel: If you are currently in the US and do not have a valid visa stamp, do not leave. You risk being stranded in India for 12–18 months.
- Audit Your Digital Footprint: Ensure your social media profiles are public (as now required) and consistent with your professional documents.
- Monitor Stateside Renewals: A domestic visa renewal pilot is expected to launch in April 2026, which may eventually provide a way to renew without leaving the US.