“If You Lose Your Job…”: H-1B Workers Stuck in India Face Delays, Experts Warn of Risks

US H-1B Visa Update: The H-1B visa, a popular route for working in the United States, is initially granted for three years and can be extended for another three. However, 2025 has brought unexpected challenges for Indian professionals seeking H-1B employment.

Visa Appointments Delayed
H-1B visa applicants and workers planning to start jobs in the US are facing long delays. Interview appointments have been pushed back by at least six months, putting many jobs at risk. Applicants who were scheduled for interviews this month now have new dates in March-April 2026.

The delay is attributed to a new US policy requiring social media checks before issuing visas. Since 15 December 2025, applicants have experienced postponed appointments, affecting thousands of H-1B workers who were preparing to join their employers.

Expert Advice: How H-1B Workers Should Respond
Immigration attorney Emily Newman advises that the top priority for H-1B holders stuck in India is to retain their current employment. She warns that if a worker loses their job, they must find a new one under H-1B sponsorship, which costs companies approximately $100,000 to file a petition. Most employers are unlikely to bear this cost, making job loss highly risky.

Newman also recommends that if employers do not allow six months of work-from-home, applicants may request an emergency appointment. While possible, the likelihood remains low.

She emphasized:

“If an emergency appointment is not granted, your number one goal is to keep your job. Leaving it may result in being unable to secure a new job until June or later. Any new H-1B petition filed while outside the US will cost around $100,000, and currently, no company is prepared to cover this.”

Conclusion: Indian H-1B visa holders stuck in India are navigating a highly uncertain situation. With delayed appointments and stringent regulations, retaining their existing employment is critical to avoid financial and professional setbacks.