H‑1B visa interviews deferred to 2026: 5 ways Indian applicants can navigate the delay

Indian students and young professionals planning to work in the U.S. are facing unprecedented uncertainty. Over the past year, the H‑1B visa process has seen a series of changes — from increased scrutiny of applications to longer processing timelines and highly competitive annual caps. Recently, the U.S. State Department introduced a new social media and online presence review rule for H‑1B and H‑4 applicants. Following this, the U.S. Embassy and consulates in India confirmed via an official post on X (formerly Twitter) that many visa interviews have been deferred, with appointments now scheduled well into 2026. Even applicants who have completed biometrics or submitted documents are affected, leaving many unsure about when they will be able to travel and join U.S.-based roles.