Indians who are US H1B and H4 Visa aspirants, were informed that their physical interview slots were rescheduled. The image is used for representative purposes only.
| Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Thousands of US work and dependant visa aspirants who came to India for H4, H1B visa stamping have been told that their physical interviews have been rescheduled. The job aspirants are receiving personal email messages from the US Consulate officials about shifting the date for physical interviews to March, April and May effectively putting their careers at risk. The affected Indians have taken to social media to share their plight and are reaching out to journalists.
“I’m currently in India and recently got done with my biometric appointment on December 5. My consular appointment was supposed to be on December 15 which got rescheduled to March 2026. I am supposed to fly back on January 1, if I don’t go I might lose out on my job. I’m trying to reschedule my appointment but there are no slots available. Please help!” wrote one aspirant on social media.
There are a slew of such social media posts but the number of affected applicants could not be ascertained. H4 Visa applicants have also been affected. “Just 1 day before, we completed biometrics for H4. Today morning, we are given a good morning surprise that your appointment is cancelled and moved to 5 months later. Now, what a mother will do without her nine year child who is in US, and she came to India for appointment,” wrote one affected applicant.
The US Embassy in India, on December 9, put out a statement advising the aspirants. “If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate,” says the message.
Left in a quandary are families in the two countries. “I have finished my biometric appointment. The new consulate appointment has been moved five months away, it is not feasible to stay in this country as we have our jobs, family, pets, and assets back in the US. Kindly advise on the options to expedite the interview appointment?” wrote another worried woman about the changed date.
Some of the applicants had their interview slots shifted beyond five months according to information shared by the father of a woman applicant.
“My daughter, for instance, came to India for stamping. Biometric was done on December 8. All of a sudden, the physical interview, which was scheduled for December 18, has been rescheduled post April. Jobs are at stake now. It’s understood that all interviews scheduled post December 15 have been rescheduled,” shared a parent in Hyderabad.
The Hindu has reached out to the US Consulate in Hyderabad. The story will be updated as and when more information is available about this ongoing development.
Published – December 11, 2025 09:33 am IST
