H-1B applicants from India are reporting “ghost” H-1B slots while trying to book appointments. These slots appear only briefly, and disappear when applicants try to book them.
One applicant showed the whole, frustrating process. They were trying to book a slot at the Chennai VAC.
The calendar shows 24 slots available on November 13. However, when the applicant tries to book one, a system overload message shows and the slots disappear within seconds.
This problem is occurring for both H-1B and H-4 visa appointments. Users who logged in within 10 seconds of slot release still could not book them.
The reason behind these ghost slots are likely to be mass swarms of bots on the portal. Agencies who charge huge amounts of money use hundreds of bots to snatch away slots before legitimate users can book them.
The situation has caused severe frustration among H-1B applicants. One applicant shared that they have been on H-1B for 11 years, paying taxes, but cannot get a stamping appointment in India.
This is a fresh issue burdening already swamped H-1B applicants. The lack of slots have been an issue since October 2025.
Now, with bots claiming free slots within seconds, it has become even more difficult for applicants to get an appointment. They are still advised to avoid paying agencies who promise guaranteed slots, as they can be easily scammed and have their data stolen.
