Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:29am on 21 Dec 2025,Sunday India Global
Indian H-1B visa holders who returned to India for work permit renewals are stranded after US consular offices abruptly cancelled and rescheduled their appointments by months, sometimes extending to 2027. The delays stem from new Trump administration vetting protocols requiring "online presence reviews" of social media accounts. Immigration lawyers report at least 100 clients affected, with workers facing job loss fears and family separations. India accounts for 71% of H-1B holders. The State Department states embassies now prioritize thorough vetting over quick processing. One engineer's December appointments were pushed to July 2026, creating panic over his expired visa. Companies scramble to accommodate stranded employees as tech workers remain stuck indefinitely. (PC: News 18)
