H-1B Visa Holders Stranded in India Face Indefinite Delays
New Delhi – Thousands of Indian professionals in the United States on H-1B visas are facing indefinite delays in returning to the U.S., with no clear timeline for when visa appointments will become available, according to immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi. The situation stems from new social media vetting procedures implemented by the U.S. State Department, which have created a significant backlog.
The delays are causing immense hardship for families separated across continents. JK, an electric vehicle engineer from Hyderabad, traveled to India in November for a family emergency and has been unable to return to her husband and two children in San Jose, California. She had previously renewed her visa in India without issue, but found no appointments available when she attempted to do so again following the State Department’s announcement of increased scrutiny.
“I think it’s an inhuman way of rejecting people from their visa,” JK told The San Francisco Standard. “It’s been almost four months. They should’ve been able to find a solution if they really wanted to help.”
The new vetting process, involving social media screening, led to the rescheduling of December visa interviews to March and April 2026, creating a cascading effect of delays. While the exact number of those affected remains unknown – no agency is currently tracking the figures – the impact is widespread.
JK, who initially came to the U.S. on a student visa over a decade ago, is currently working remotely for her U.S.-based company, maintaining San Jose working hours despite the 12.5-hour time difference. Her husband has contacted Congressman Reo Jimmy Panetta’s office for assistance, but the U.S. consulate in Hyderabad stated they were unable to expedite the visa stamping process without an available appointment.
Berardi emphasized the uncertainty faced by those stranded. “We have no ETA on when [they] are coming back,” she said, adding that these are “individuals who were lawfully in the US.”
The situation highlights the significant role H-1B visa holders play in the U.S. tech sector and the disruption caused by the current delays. JK and her husband have applied for Green Cards and are raising two U.S. citizen children, adding to the emotional toll of their separation.