An H-1B worker now faces a serious visa problem because of a family emergency. Your wife, who holds an H-4 visa, needs to travel to India. But returning to the US will require a fresh H-4 visa stamp.
No regular H-4 slots available
Right now, there are no regular H-visa appointments available in India. You can only book slots in the second half of 2027, which means your wife may get stuck in India for over a year.
Job loss becomes a real risk
If your wife travels, she will almost certainly lose her job. Indian consulates are following strict rules, and long delays make it impossible to plan a safe return.
Primary H-1B holder may be required
In some cases, officers ask the main H-1B holder to attend the H-4 interview. This makes the process even harder if you cannot travel together.
Experts advise against travel
Immigration experts strongly advise your wife not to travel abroad. Once she leaves, there is no reliable way to secure a timely return.
Emergency appointments rarely work
Emergency visa slots are almost impossible to get. You must first hold a regular slot that gets delayed before even requesting an emergency appointment.
Only extreme cases are accepted
Even emergency requests are not guaranteed. Only medical emergencies or deaths are accepted, which makes family or childcare reasons invalid.
Family stuck in a painful situation
This leaves your family in a difficult position. You cannot visit India despite an emergency, and your wife cannot travel without risking her career and legal status.
