H-1B System Error? Slot Cancelled After Assurance

An H-1B visa holder is dealing with a serious technical issue after their H-1/H-4 group interview was suddenly cancelled. The problem occurred despite prior approval and assurances from officials.

Emergency Appointment and Travel Issue

The visa holder had secured an emergency appointment on January 21, 2026, following a family emergency. Due to unexpected travel delays, the primary H-1B applicant could not attend the biometrics appointment.

H-4 Spouse Attended Alone

As a result, only the H-4 dependent visa applicant spouse attended the appointment. The spouse received both verbal and written assurance that attending alone was permissible in this situation.

Interview Cancelled Despite Assurance

Despite these assurances, the system later formally cancelled the group interview. This has raised concerns about how automated processes handle group visa appointments.

Possible System Trigger Explained

Experts have noted that the primary applicant’s attendance is often mandatory for group appointments. If the primary applicant does not attend, the scheduling software may automatically cancel the entire group.

Assurance Overridden by Automation

Although the H-1B visa holder’s spouse was told the interview would remain valid, experts believe the automated system logic likely overrode the officer’s assurance.

Immediate Steps Suggested

The applicant has been advised to raise a support ticket immediately. They must attach the earlier confirmation that allowed the H-4 spouse to attend the appointment alone.

Risk of Reapplying

This documentation may help prove that the cancellation was erroneous. If the appointment is not restored, the couple may have to close the current application and start a new one, an expensive step that could cause significant delays.