In early December, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates across India abruptly canceled thousands of scheduled H-1B visa appointments, leaving applicants and employers scrambling for answers. This unexpected move, affecting both first-time H-1B visa stampings and renewals, comes at a critical point in the fiscal year when many approved workers are trying to enter the United States before project start dates, onboarding deadlines, and contractual obligations.
While the Department of State has acknowledged “operational challenges,” specifics remain thin. What is clear is that H-1B applicants in India now face a wave of cancellations, limited appointment availability, and increased uncertainty.
Why Were H-1B Appointments Canceled?
Operational Strain and High Demand
India is the busiest visa-processing post in the world for H-1B workers. Even during normal operations, appointment slots fill quickly. According to embassy officials, surging demand combined with internal constraints led to widespread cancellations.
While no formal explanation has been published beyond “operational challenges,” there are several contributing factors immigration attorneys are observing:
- Post-COVID backlogs remain in certain visa categories.
- Staffing and resource constraints at consular posts in India continue to impact scheduling capacity.
- Increased security vetting under the current administration may be slowing case flow.
- Record H-1B volumes in recent years, partly due to the growth of tech and outsourcing sectors.
Who Is Affected?
Applicants who received cancellation notices include:
- First-time H-1B visa applicants
- H-1B renewals
- H-4 dependents attending linked appointments
- Individuals who had already secured “dropbox” (interview waiver) slots
In several cases, entire blocks of appointments were canceled at once, not just individual time slots.
What This Means for Employers
Delayed Start Dates
Companies relying on Indian talent could face onboarding delays. For time-sensitive projects, these disruptions can lead to contractual issues, staffing shortages, and slowed product development cycles.
Risk for Employees Already in India
Some workers traveled abroad for visa stamping assuming a quick turnaround, only to see their appointments canceled. They cannot return to the United States until they secure a new slot and complete visa issuance.
More Pressure on Remote Work Arrangements
Employers may need to temporarily adjust work arrangements or allocate tasks differently while employees navigate the evolving consular landscape.
What Applicants Should Do Now
- Check Your Appointment Status Daily
Cancellations have rolled out in waves. Check the U.S. visa scheduling portal frequently to confirm your status and look for new openings.
- Consider Cancelling International Travel Plans
With visa appointments across India being canceled and pushed into spring 2026, applicants should seriously reconsider any international travel, especially holiday trips tied to H-1B or H-4 stamping. Several U.S. posts have confirmed they cannot honor previously scheduled appointments, and arriving on your original date will result in being turned away.
If you leave the U.S. now, you may be stuck abroad far longer than planned. Until appointment availability stabilizes, avoid non-essential travel to prevent disruption to your work, family plans, and ability to return to the United States.
- Prepare Documentation Early
When new appointments open, they disappear fast. Have all documents, including petition approval, employment letters, and DS-160, ready to go.
What Happens Next?
The State Department has indicated that additional appointment slots will be released “as capacity allows.” However, no timeline has been provided.
As the situation evolves, applicants should expect:
- longer wait times for new appointments;
- unexpected rescheduling as consulates rebalance workload; and
- additional security and vetting procedures in certain categories.
The wave of cancellations closely follows the December 5 rollout of new social media screening requirements for H-1B and H-4 applicants. These added vetting steps significantly increase officer workload, and consulates in India appear to be reducing daily appointment volume to manage the new review process. While DOS hasn’t formally connected the two, the timing makes the relationship clear. Expect continued scheduling disruptions as posts adjust.
How Berardi Immigration Law Can Help
Our team is actively monitoring consular announcements, appointment availability, and trends across India’s busiest locations, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
If your appointment was canceled, or you’re unsure how to proceed, we can help you assess next steps.
Canceled H-1B Visa Appointment FAQs
Why did the U.S. Embassy cancel my H-1B appointment?
Most cancellations are linked to operational limitations, such as staffing, high demand, and processing bottlenecks, rather than issues with individual cases.
Can I reschedule right away?
You can attempt to reschedule through the visa portal, but new openings may be limited. Appointments often appear in short batches and fill within minutes.
Staying Prepared in a Volatile Visa Landscape
The cancellation of thousands of H-1B visa appointments in India underscores a reality many immigrants and employers already know well: even routine stages of the U.S. immigration process can shift overnight. Planning ahead, staying flexible, and getting timely legal guidance are essential.
As more information becomes available, Berardi Immigration Law will continue to track updates and support individuals and companies affected by these disruptions. If you’ve experienced a cancellation, or need advice before booking a new appointment, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence. Click here to contact our team today.
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