New Delhi – India has formally conveyed its concerns to the United States regarding significant H-1B visa delays affecting thousands of Indian nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Friday that it has raised issues related to the cancellation and rescheduling of visa appointments as the Trump administration implements stricter regulations for hiring skilled professionals from abroad.
Government Receives Multiple Representations
The Indian government has received numerous representations from citizens facing H-1B visa delays and complications with rescheduling their visa appointments. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed these concerns during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, acknowledging the widespread impact on Indian applicants.
“On H-1B visas, the Government of India has received several representations from Indian nationals who are facing delays or problems with the rescheduling of their visa appointments,” Jaiswal stated, confirming the government’s awareness of the growing problem.
These H-1B visa delays have created substantial uncertainty for Indian professionals seeking to work in specialized sectors such as technology, engineering, and medicine in the United States.
Diplomatic Engagement on Multiple Levels
While respecting the sovereign nature of visa-related decisions, India has actively flagged concerns about H-1B visa delays to American officials through multiple diplomatic channels. The government has raised these issues both in New Delhi and in Washington, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem.
“While we do understand that visa-related issues pertain to the sovereign domain of any country, we have flagged these issues and concerns of our nationals to the US side, both here in New Delhi and in Washington,” Jaiswal explained during the briefing.
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that it remains actively engaged with the US side to address and minimize the disruptions caused by H-1B visa delays to Indian nationals.
New Regulations Causing Disruptions
The H-1B visa delays stem from several recent policy changes implemented by the Trump administration. Starting December 15, the US expanded the vetting of social media accounts to all applicants for H-1B and H-4 visas, a change that has resulted in abrupt appointment cancellations and rescheduling months later.
The US administration communicated its decision to expand review processes to include vetting of the online presence of applications from December 15 onward. This particular change applies not only to H-1B visa applicants but also to H-4 visa applicants, who are dependents of H-1B visa holders.
Additionally, the administration levied a steep fee of $100,000 for first-time H-1B visa applicants and replaced the random lottery system for selecting recipients with a merit-based approach that gives greater weight to people with higher skills.
Impact on Indian Nationals
While official figures remain unavailable, reports suggest that H-1B visa delays have affected thousands of Indian nationals, including those who traveled to India specifically to renew their H-1B visas. These individuals now face extended waiting periods due to appointment cancellations and rescheduling issues.
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“There are several people who have been stranded for an extended period of time because of scheduling or rescheduling of consular appointments and these have also caused a lot of hardship to their families, as also to the education of their children,” Jaiswal noted, highlighting the human cost of these H-1B visa delays.
The disruptions have created particular hardship for families, affecting not only the visa applicants but also their dependents’ access to education and stability.
Declining Approval Numbers
The H-1B visa delays occur against a backdrop of already declining approval rates for Indian applicants. The National Foundation for American Policy recently reported that the number of first-time H-1B visa applications approved for Indian IT companies fell to 4,573 in 2025, representing the lowest figure in a decade.
This number represents a 70 percent decrease from 2015 figures and a 37 percent drop compared to 2024. These statistics are particularly significant considering that more than 70 percent of H-1B applications approved since 2010 have gone to Indian workers.
President Trump’s Stance
The changes in the H-1B visa regime come as President Donald Trump has described the abuse of the program as a “national security threat.” The administration’s stricter approach reflects broader concerns about immigration and skilled worker programs.
These H-1B visa delays and policy changes have emerged alongside other immigration rule modifications and occur against a backdrop of strained India-US relations over the imposition of 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, including punitive levies over Russian oil purchases.
Previous Concerns Raised
India’s concerns about H-1B visa delays extend beyond just appointment scheduling. In September, India had raised issues with the US regarding the $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, arguing that the mobility of skilled Indian talent contributes to innovation and economic growth in both countries.
India’s Hope for Resolution
The MEA spokesperson expressed hope that H-1B visa delays and disruptions in the application process will be addressed by the United States. Jaiswal emphasized the government’s expectation that American authorities will work to minimize the impact on Indian nationals and their families.
As both nations navigate these visa-related challenges, India continues its diplomatic efforts to ensure that skilled professionals can pursue opportunities while maintaining compliance with evolving US immigration policies.
