An Indian H-1B worker is facing a severe visa delay after a consular appointment was pushed to 2027. You see this despite the applicant completing the OFC process in Mumbai. The sudden change has left families distressed and uncertain.
The applicant’s January visa appointment was unexpectedly rescheduled to May 2027. This occurred even after completing OFC in Mumbai. Experts say similar delays now affect many H-visa applicants across India.
H-1B visa delays worsen after OFC completion
Many workers remain stranded in India due to the lack of visa stamping slots. You cannot return to the United States without a valid stamp. Families stay separated with no clear timeline for resolution.
Consulates have advised applicants to keep checking official websites for new slots. However, no regular slots have opened for weeks. This has added to the frustration among affected workers.
Emergency appointments become only option
At present, emergency requests remain the only workable option for most applicants. These requests usually cite medical emergencies or major business losses. Experts also suggest including project deadlines and financial impact details.
OFC appointments already completed remain valid and do not require repetition. However, getting emergency approval remains difficult. Each request undergoes individual review with no assurance of acceptance.
2027 wait times raise soft ban fears
Immigration lawyers say visa slots sometimes appear during random release phases. This forces applicants to monitor consular websites constantly. The unpredictability adds to mental and financial stress.
Many workers now believe a soft restriction exists on H-visa processing. Combined with system issues on scheduling platforms, wait times now extend deep into 2027. So far, no relief has emerged for H-1B or H-4 applicants.
