H-1B Slots Open in Hyd After 3 Months, Gone in Minutes

A few H-1B applicants in India recently reported booking appointment slots at the Hyderabad consulate after nearly three months of delays. The brief opening has given some relief to Indian visa holders who have been waiting for updates.

There was no official announcement about the slot release. However, multiple users online shared that they secured appointments at the Visa Application Centre in Hyderabad. One user claimed to book an H-4 slot for August, while others noticed H-1B availability from mid-May.

The availability was short lived, as the slots reportedly disappeared within minutes on April 4. Since visa appointments have been largely halted since December, thousands of applicants continue to remain stuck in a growing backlog.

Many applicants said they faced technical issues while trying to book. Some were stuck in virtual waiting rooms, while others experienced login errors due to heavy traffic. Hyderabad continues to be one of the busiest US visa processing centres in India.

This development offers some hope for applicants waiting for appointments. Since December 15, 2025, the US has increased scrutiny on H-1B and H-4 visas, including stricter background checks and social media screening processes.

Due to these changes, several visa appointments in India were delayed by seven to eight months. Some applicants who had bookings in early 2026 reported being pushed to dates as far as mid 2027.

The combination of limited slots and strict verification has created uncertainty for applicants. Many are now relying on online updates, booking patterns, and timing to secure a confirmed interview date.

There is also speculation that other consulates in Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata may soon release slots. However, there is no official confirmation yet, and applicants continue to wait for further updates.