US Visa Delay Disaster: New Vetting Leaves Indian Graduates Stranded Until Summer 2026
2 Min Read
For thousands of Indian students and recent graduates dreaming of a US career, a sudden and alarming policy change has turned their hopes into a nightmare of uncertainty. The US State Department’s decision to implement expanded security screening, specifically a mandatory review of applicants’ public social media profiles, has triggered a wave of mass visa interview postponements in India, with some appointments now pushed back as late as summer 2026.
The new vetting, which took effect from December 15th for the highly sought-after H-1B student visa (and its dependent H-4 visa), mirrors a similar process already in place for F-1 student and J-1 exchange visitor visas. US consulates across India have cited the extensive resources and time required for this additional ‘online presence’ scrutiny as the reason for slashing daily interview capacity.
This logistical bottleneck has led to a cascade of cancellations, with applicants who had scheduled interviews for mid-to-late December receiving last-minute emails notifying them of their new, distant dates in March, April, or even May and June of the following year. While biometrics appointments are still proceeding as planned, the core interview; the final hurdle before a visa is issued, is now a waiting game.
The human impact is significant, particularly for those who travelled to India for their visa ‘stamping’ during the holiday period, expecting a quick turnaround. These skilled young professionals, many of whom have jobs lined up or are returning to their existing US roles, are now effectively stranded abroad for months.
Immigration attorneys are urgently advising against all non-essential international travel for H-1B holders who need a new visa stamp, warning that prolonged absence could lead to job loss, as many US employers cannot legally allow extended remote work from outside the country. This lack of predictability is creating immense stress, jeopardising careers, and causing unavoidable separation from families and lives built across the Atlantic.
The suddenness of these mass postponements highlights a critical communication gap between policy implementation and its practical effect on individuals. While security is paramount, the abrupt nature of the delays; some announced just days before the original appointment, leaves young workers feeling confused, anxious, and deeply frustrated. The US Embassy in India has acknowledged the postponements, urging applicants to check their new dates, yet the system currently offers little flexibility for those facing genuine emergencies.
For the thousands of talented graduates relying on the H-1B programme to begin their professional journeys, the coming months will be defined by unwelcome limbo. It is a harsh reminder that global career mobility is often subject to the unpredictable winds of changing international policy. Now, more than ever, applicants need clear guidance, contingency options, and a commitment from authorities to streamline the process as swiftly as possible to prevent promising careers from stalling entirely.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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