The H-1B visa process no longer ends with approval. For many Indians, it marks the start of another challenge as consulate appointment slots remain scarce. The struggle to secure a visa stamping slot has become a major concern in 2026.
One worker selected in the 2022 H-1B lottery now faces this issue. His visa was not stamped earlier due to business slowdown and economic uncertainty. By October 2025, the approval expired without being utilised.
His company later filed for renewal, and he now has a valid H-1B approval until 2028. Despite this, the final step of visa stamping at a US consulate in India remains unresolved due to ongoing appointment slot shortages.
The situation is further complicated by limited support from employers. In this case, the company’s immigration team asked the employee to manage the booking process independently, adding to the stress of navigating the system.
After paying the MRV fee, he began checking for interview slots across Delhi, Mumbai, and other locations. However, no appointments were available, reflecting the wider issue faced by many applicants across the country.
The removal of interview waivers has increased demand for limited slots. New appointments are released unpredictably and are filled within minutes. This has made the process highly competitive and difficult to manage.
Booking an H-1B visa slot in India now feels like a lottery. Success often depends on timing and system performance, as heavy traffic affects availability and access to appointment scheduling platforms.
As a result, even candidates with valid approvals remain stuck. Many continue refreshing the portal repeatedly, hoping to secure a slot before it disappears, highlighting the growing challenges in the visa process.
