By admin 
(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
Asim Siddiqui (Washington DC)
By multiple accounts across U.S. and international media, a sweeping slowdown in America’s employment-based visa system is leaving thousands of foreign professionals stranded abroad and businesses scrambling at home.
Under revised vetting procedures introduced by the United States Department of State, large numbers of H-1B and H-4 visa interview appointments have been abruptly canceled or rescheduled, with many new dates now extending into early 2027. Interviews that were once scheduled for mid or late 2026 have been pushed back by months, and in some cases more than a year.
A report by the The Washington Post found that many Indian H-1B workers who traveled overseas for visa renewals are now unable to return to the United States, after consulates canceled appointments with little notice. Similar reporting by India Today described the situation as “the biggest mess,” noting that professionals are stuck away from jobs and families with no clear timelines for resolution.
The Hindustan Times and The Economic Times report that stricter screening—particularly mandatory social media and online activity checks introduced in mid-December 2025—has sharply reduced interview capacity. As a result, more cases are being routed into prolonged “administrative processing,” creating unpredictable delays.
U.S. consulates, especially in India, are also facing staffing shortages and operational strain, further compounding backlogs. Immigration lawyers told The Times of India that applicants who once expected interviews in early 2026 are now seeing dates in 2027.
For U.S. employers, the impact is growing. Extended employee absences are forcing companies—particularly in technology and specialized sectors—to revisit project timelines, staffing plans, and client commitments. Advisories circulating among immigration attorneys now urge H-1B holders to avoid international travel unless they already have a valid visa stamp.
What began as a policy shift aimed at tighter screening is increasingly being viewed as a systemic bottleneck—one affecting not only foreign workers and their families, but also the competitiveness and productivity of the U.S. economy itself.