H-1B Visa Holders Stranded In India: Why Is US Cancelling Renewal Appointments And What To Do Next?

Indian professionals on H-1B visas are facing unexpected uncertainty after returning home this month to renew their US work permits, only to find themselves stranded as American consulates abruptly cancelled their visa interviews.

According to The Washington Post, the sudden move has disrupted the lives of hundreds, and possibly thousands, of highly skilled workers, many of whom travelled to India during the US holiday season specifically to complete their visa renewals.

Visa Appointments Cancelled Without Warning

Immigration attorneys told The Washington Post that interview appointments scheduled between December 15 and 26 were cancelled en masse, with new dates pushed back by several months. This mid-December window is a popular choice for H-1B holders, as it allows them to align travel with year-end holidays and minimise disruption to work.

For many, that plan has now unravelled.

Emails reviewed by the newspaper show that applicants were informed by the US State Department that their interviews had been postponed following the rollout of a new social media screening policy under the Trump administration. The policy, the emails said, is aimed at ensuring that visa applicants do not pose a threat to US national security or public safety.

Workers Stranded, Careers on Hold

The fallout has been swift and deeply personal. Lawyers handling these cases say the cancellations have left workers stuck in India on expired visas, anxiously worried about their jobs and futures in the US.

Emily Neumann, a partner at Houston-based immigration firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC, said at least 100 of her clients are currently stranded. “People planned their lives around these appointments,” she said, describing the sudden disruption as devastating for families and careers alike.

Veena Vijay Ananth, an immigration lawyer based in India, and Charles Kuck, an Atlanta-based attorney, said they are each dealing with more than a dozen similar cases.

“This is the biggest mess we have seen,” Ananth told The Washington Post. With over two decades of experience handling H-1B cases, she added, “I’m not sure there is a plan.”

US Defends Shift to Stricter Vetting

Responding to the situation, a spokesperson for the US State Department told The Washington Post that consulates worldwide — including those in India — are now prioritising thorough scrutiny over speed.

“While in the past the emphasis may have been on processing cases quickly and reducing wait times, our embassies and consulates around the world are now prioritising thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else,” the spokesperson said.

What’s at Stake for H-1B Holders?

The mass cancellation of interviews under the enhanced vetting measures is expected to significantly delay the return of affected workers to the US. Rescheduling applies to all applicants who had been granted interview slots from December 15 onwards.