Problems are increasing for hundreds of Indians who want to work in the United States or are trying to keep their existing jobs. People waiting for H-1B and H-4 visa interviews have received another big shock.
According to reports, many visa interviews have now been postponed until October 2026.
This decision has caused serious stress among Indian professionals. Many are living away from their families, and their jobs are now under threat.
Earlier, US authorities had already delayed interviews from December 2025 to March 2026, but the latest postponement has made the situation even more uncertain.
Interview Dates Pushed to October 2026
Recent reports say that applicants whose interviews were earlier shifted to February and March 2026 are now getting fresh dates in October 2026.
This has created panic, especially for those who were expecting interviews in mid-January 2026, which are now delayed to the end of the year.
Due to this, some applicants whose dates were pushed back are requesting people with January or February 2026 slots to cancel their appointments. They hope this may help bring their own interviews back to earlier dates.
Reason Behind the Visa Delays
US consulates have told several applicants that interviews scheduled for December and January are being moved to February or March.
According to US officials, the main reason is expanded social media screening of visa applicants. This additional background check is taking more time and slowing down the overall process.
What Immigration Experts Are Saying
Immigration lawyers say that large-scale cancellations and sudden rescheduling of visa appointments have increased sharply since mid-December.
Many applicants who were preparing to start work in 2026 were caught completely off guard.
Sangeetha Mugunthan, associate attorney at Somireddy Law Group PLLC, said that legal options are very limited. She advised affected applicants to request remote work or leave from their employers, if possible.
She also said it is difficult to take legal action against visa cancellations. Applicants should keep records of all communications to protect themselves from future job losses or visa-related issues.
Lives and Careers Left Uncertain
A spokesperson for the US Consulate General in Hyderabad said that the Department of State regularly adjusts visa appointments based on available resources and that affected applicants will be informed directly.
However, the ground reality is very difficult. Many applicants had already booked flights, planned vacations, or traveled to India for visa stamping, only to see their appointments canceled.
For those currently outside the US, the situation is worse, as they face long separation from their families with very limited options to return.
Anger and frustration are clearly visible across messaging apps and online forums. Many Indians are struggling to cope with the uncertainty, and some are even questioning whether the US is still a good long-term career option.
Earlier this year, delays in F-1 student visas affected college admissions, and a proposal to increase work visa fees had already upset the H-1B community.
Now, the wait until October 2026 has pushed the dreams and careers of many Indian professionals to a critical point.
