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Stuck between two worlds: Inside the H-1B standstill
A sudden disappearance of H-1B stamping slots has left Indian professionals and families stranded across continents, turning a once-reliable pathway into an indefinite waiting game.
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Pallavi Mehra - Mon, 09, Feb 2026
- 15:27 EST
- 25
Representative Image / Generated using AI
For over two decades, the H-1B visa has been the bridge connecting Indian talent to the American dream. Presently, however, that bridge feels more like a parking lot.
Following a series of policy shifts, including mandatory social media vetting and the suspension of third-country stamping, U.S. consulates in India have essentially hit a “pause” button. Reports from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata Hyderabad and Chennai indicate that regular H-1B stamping slots have vanished for the remainder of 2026, with many new appointments being pushed as far back as May 2027.
While the U.S. State Department maintains these are “operational constraints” rather than a formal ban, for the thousands of professionals stranded on either side of the Atlantic, the effect is a functional freeze.
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