Mass Cancellation of H-1B and H-4 Appointments in India Since December 15, 2025

Following the introduction of enhanced social media vetting for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants effective December 15, 2025, U.S. consular posts in India began rescheduling previously confirmed appointments to significantly later dates, ranging from March 2026 to May 2027.

First Wave of Cancellations (December 15, 2025 – January 2026)

As part of the first wave of cancellations, appointments scheduled between December 15, 2025 and January 2026 were impacted in the following manner:

• Applicants who had already completed VAC (biometrics)→ Only the consular interview appointment was rescheduled to a later date.

• Applicants who had not completed VAC→ Both the VAC (biometrics) and the consular interview appointments were rescheduled to later dates.

Second Wave of Cancellations (Including February 2026 Appointments)

In a second wave of mass cancellations, some appointments scheduled for February 2026 are now being rescheduled to May 2027 or later, further extending wait times for affected applicants.

Additional Rescheduling Permitted Due to Consular-Initiated Cancellations

Under normal circumstances:

• The MRV fee permits one initial appointment and one reschedule

• After both are used, a new MRV fee is required

However, because these cancellations were initiated by the U.S. Consular Mission, the appointment system is currently allowing affected applicants to reschedule one additional time without requiring a new MRV fee.

This flexibility appears limited to consulate-driven cancellations and does not apply to applicant-initiated changes.

Appointments are Not Available in India:

The U.S. Consular Mission in India has not opened or released any news for H-1B an H-4 since Dec 2025.

Our team has been actively checking the appointment system for our clients and, as of yesterday, no H-1B or H-4 slots were available. We continue to monitor the system closely and on a regular basis.

We fully understand the anxiety many applicants are experiencing—especially those facing:

• Risk of job loss

• Children missing school

• Inability to return for planned surgeries

• Delays in routine medical check-ups that may impact overall health

Alternative Options Available for Applicants

Applicants with urgent business travel or humanitarian needs, including medical treatment, may consider requesting an Emergency / Expedited Appointment (EA).

Emergency / Expedited Appointment Requests

To request an EA, applicants must submit a well-documented request clearly demonstrating urgency. Supporting documentation may include, where applicable:

• Letters from the petitioner or client explaining time-sensitive business needs

• Medical records or doctor’s letters for urgent treatment

• Schooling-related documents for children (e.g., school start dates or continuity concerns)

• Any other evidence establishing immediate and compelling necessity for travel

Important Considerations

• Approval of EA requests is entirely discretionary and determined by a consular officer

• Poorly drafted requests or submissions without adequate supporting documents frequently result in denial

• Applicants are generally permitted to submit up to two EA requests per MRV fee

• Based on current experience, the first EA request is critical and plays a decisive role in securing approval

Applicants are therefore strongly advised to ensure that the initial EA request is carefully prepared, clearly articulated, and supported by credible documentation.

False Claims on Availability of New Appointments (Feb 2026):

As of Feb 2026, we have been receiving multiple inquiries since yesterday following reports that H-1B and H-4 visa appointment slots are currently unavailable across India. Some applicants have also informed us that certain individuals are claiming they can secure appointments in exchange for exorbitantly high fees.

However, we strongly urge applicants not to fall for false promises or pay large sums of money to unauthorized agents. Many such claims do not result in securing an appointment and can lead to financial loss and further distress.

Important: USD 100,000 Surcharge/Dee for H-1B may Apply in Some Cases.

Additionally, please note that any job loss while outside the U.S. may trigger the need for filing a new H-1B petition with consular notification, potentially attracting a new USD 100,000 surcharge/fee, depending on the circumstances. This makes careful planning even more critical

Conclusion:

We remain committed to keeping the community informed about genuine availability of appointment slots as soon as they open.

Applicants may also independently check reliable online sources that track and list the earliest available dates, but caution is advised.

We appreciate your patience and encourage you to rely only on verified information and authorized channels.