H-1B 2027 Cases Doomed? No Slots Till Next Year

H-1B visa cases for FY 2027 are already facing a major hurdle despite selection in the lottery. Indian applicants, who form a large share of work visa holders in the US, are now dealing with a serious shortage of visa appointments.

Many applicants say that available visa slots in India are being taken by FY 2026 candidates and renewals. This has created panic among new applicants who expected faster processing after selection. The situation continues to worsen.

The delays are linked to stricter immigration checks introduced under Donald Trump. A mandatory online presence review for H-1B and H-4 visas was announced earlier. This led to a backlog of cases and appointment delays.

Hundreds of Indian workers who travelled home for visa renewal were left stranded. Since December 2025, these applicants have struggled to secure interview slots. The backlog is now affecting the next batch of applicants as well.

According to applicants, most available visa appointments are now scheduled between January and April 2027. This means FY 2027 lottery winners may have to wait much longer than expected. The delay impacts their job timelines.

Another concern is the release of bulk appointment slots for future dates. Cities like Hyderabad and Chennai are reportedly offering slots only for next year. This limits immediate options for current applicants.

Applicants often rush to book slots when they appear online. However, many later realise that the dates are too far away to support their plans. This has added to frustration and confusion among candidates.

Even after attending visa interviews, approvals may take additional months. Processing times vary based on individual cases. This creates further uncertainty for applicants planning their move.

For FY 2027 candidates, the journey has become unpredictable from the beginning. Despite clearing the lottery, entering the US could be delayed by a year or more. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in the visa system.