Foreign nationals and U.S. employers relying on visa stamping in India are facing significant new disruptions. Beginning Dec. 8, 2025, U.S. consular posts across India began mass-rescheduling H-1B and H-4 visa interviews that were originally scheduled for on or after December 15, 2025. Many of these interviews are now being pushed to March 2026 or later.
Consular posts attribute these sudden changes to the implementation of a new mandatory “online presence review” requirement for H-1B applicants and their dependents, which has significantly reduced the number of interviews that can be conducted each day.
Why Are H-1B and H-4 Appointments Being Rescheduled?
Multiple posts — including Hyderabad and Chennai — have issued notices confirming they cannot honor previously scheduled interview dates due to operational constraints tied to the new screening protocols implemented by the U.S. Department of State.
Under this expanded vetting process, consular officers must conduct additional reviews of applicants’ online presence and digital footprint prior to visa issuance. To accommodate the increased workload, consulates have temporarily reduced daily interview capacity, leading to widespread rescheduling.
Key Developments at a Glance
- Mass rescheduling underway: H-1B and H-4 interviews scheduled on or after December 15, 2025, are being reassigned — many to March 2026.
- Applicants instructed not to appear: Applicants are being told not to attend their originally scheduled appointments and to appear only on their newly assigned dates.
- Biometrics appointments remain valid: Visa Application Center (VAC) biometrics appointments are not affected and remain valid.
- Strict rescheduling limits: Applicants who cannot attend the newly assigned date may reschedule only once online — and only if the visa fee receipt is less than one year old.
- Fee expiration risk: If a fee receipt is over one year old, it is considered expired and unusable for rescheduling.
Serious Travel and Workforce Planning Risks
These delays create major risks for both foreign national employees and U.S. employers, including:
- Extended travel disruptions: Employees who travel abroad for visa stamping may be unable to return to the United States for several months.
- Project delays and staffing shortages: Employers may face operational gaps if key personnel become stuck abroad.
- Remote work complications: Not all roles can be performed remotely, particularly in health care, manufacturing, research and regulated industries.
Practical Guidance for Employers and H-1B Workers
The Harris Beach Murtha Immigration Practice Group recommends the following immediate steps:
- Avoid non-essential international travel. Employees with expired visas or those seeking first-time issuance should postpone travel whenever possible.
- Monitor visa appointment portals closely. Applicants should log into their scheduling profiles regularly to retrieve updated appointment confirmation letters and message-center notifications.
- Understand rescheduling limits. Applicants are allowed only one reschedule opportunity, and missing the rescheduled appointment may result in loss of the filing fee.
- Prepare for reduced consular capacity. Processing delays may continue as long as expanded vetting remains in effect.
- Communicate early with employers. Affected employees should promptly notify their employers so contingency plans — such as remote work, project reassignment or delayed start dates — can be implemented.
What This Means Going Forward
At this time, there is no formal timeline from the U.S. government on when full interview capacity will be restored. Employers should assume continued volatility in India consular processing in early 2026 and plan workforce needs accordingly.
The Harris Beach Murtha Immigration Practice Group is actively monitoring developments across all Mission India posts and advising clients on risk-mitigation strategies.
About Harris Beach Murtha’s Immigration Practice Group
Harris Beach Murtha’s Immigration Practice Group represents employers across industries — from universities and hospitals to private corporations and startups — navigating complex visa, compliance, and worksite challenges. Our attorneys advise on H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, O-1, TN, and permanent residency matters, combining legal insight with practical workforce strategies.
For guidance on how these changes may affect your organization, contact attorney L.J. D’Arrigo – Partner, Immigration Practice Group Leader – at 518-701-2770 and ldarrigo@harrisbeachmurtha.com – or the Harris Beach Murtha attorney with whom you most frequently work.
This alert is not a substitute for advice of counsel on specific legal issues.
Harris Beach Murtha’s lawyers and consultants practice from offices throughout Connecticut in Bantam, Hartford, New Haven and Stamford; New York state in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Long Island and White Plains, as well as in Boston, Massachusetts, and Newark, New Jersey.
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