The difficulties of Indian citizens regarding America’s H-1B visa are increasing continuously. The Government of India has now formally registered its concern regarding the long delays in scheduling of interviews and consular appointments. The Ministry of External Affairs says that due to this situation a large number of Indian professionals, students and their families have been stuck in uncertainty for months.

During the weekly press briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clearly said that due to repeated postponement of appointments related to H-1B visa, people’s personal and professional lives are being badly affected. He said that many applicants are waiting for interviews or re-scheduling for a long time, due to which families are also facing serious difficulties. The Indian government has raised this issue with the US administration at both New Delhi and Washington DC levels.

Changes in H-1B rules, Indians are most affected

The changes made in the H-1B visa system in recent months have impacted Indian citizens the most. Indians have the highest share among H-1B visa holders in America, especially in the technology, IT and service sectors. In such a situation, even a little strictness in the rules directly affects the plans of thousands of Indian professionals.

Complexity of the process increased due to social media investigation

Earlier this month, the Trump administration implemented a new rule in the visa process, under which it was made mandatory for H-1B, H-4 and F, M, J category applicants to make the privacy settings of all their social media accounts public. The US administration says that this will make it easier to check the online activities of the applicants. However, this additional scrutiny is causing further delays in visa processing and interview scheduling.

Interview postponed till May, applicants suddenly got information

After the implementation of the new rules, many H-1B applicants received e-mails from US officials informing them that their interviews had been postponed for further months. According to media reports, many interviews have now been shifted to May 2025. This sudden change has severely affected the travel, job and study plans of Indian professionals, students and their families.

Talks continue between India and America

The Ministry of External Affairs also clarified that the rules related to visa are the sovereign right of any country, but India has strongly put forward the problems of its citizens before America. Randhir Jaiswal expressed hope that some practical solution to this delay and chaos would be found. He also said that the rule of social media screening has been applied equally not only to India but to applicants from all countries.

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In America, the Donald Trump administration has announced the abolition of the old random lottery system for H-1B work visas. Instead, a new ‘weighted selection’ system will be introduced, which will give priority to more skilled and higher paid foreign workers. This change has been made to improve the salaries, jobs and working conditions of American workers.

Notification of new rules issued

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have issued this new rule on Tuesday. USCIS spokesperson Matthew Treasurer said, ‘By taking advantage of the old random lottery system, many American companies were bringing in low-wage foreign workers, who were willing to work for less money than American workers.’

What changes will occur after the implementation of the new rules?

• Now visa selection will not be random, but will be weighted.
• Weight will be given in selection on the basis of salary level. Applicants with job offers with higher salaries will have more chances.
• There will be 4 wage levels decided by the Department of Labor (DOL). 1 entry at lowest level, 4 entries at highest level. This will benefit high-paid and high-skilled workers.
• The annual cap will remain the same i.e. a total of 85,000 H-1B visas (65,000 for general + 20,000 for advanced degrees).
• This rule will come into effect from February 27, 2026 and will start from the H-1B cap registration season of fiscal year 2027.

Why did the Trump government take this decision?

The Trump administration says that the old system was being misused. Companies used to bring foreign workers at low salaries by showing entry-level jobs, even if they had more experience. This affected the jobs and salaries of American workers. The new system is under the America First policy, which will promote high-skilled talent.

What will be the impact on Indian workers?

Indian professionals are the largest users of H-1B visas. This change will make it difficult for entry-level or low-paid young Indians to get visas. At the same time, experienced workers in high-paid and senior roles will benefit. This year, Amazon was the company taking the highest number of H-1B visas (10,000+), followed by TCS, Microsoft, Apple and Google.

The US Embassy in India said on Monday that from December 15, America has made the visa verification process more stringent for H1B and H4 visa applicants. Under this, the online presence of all the applicants of these two visa categories is now being reviewed. This process will be applicable not only to India, but to applicants from all countries and nationalities around the world.

Thousands of interviews suddenly postponed
This statement of the Embassy has come at a time when the previously scheduled interviews of thousands of H1B visa applicants in India, to be held at the end of this month, have suddenly been postponed for several months. This has affected the plans of a large number of Indian professionals.

Embassy official information on social media
The US Embassy posted on the social media platform ‘X’, saying, ‘Global alert for H1B and H4 visa applicants: Starting December 15, the State Department has expanded online appearance review for all H1B and H4 applicants as part of standard visa screening.’

Rules applicable to all countries and nationalities
The Embassy clarified that this investigation is not limited to any one country, but is being implemented equally on H1B and H4 applicants of all nationalities globally.

It will have a big impact on Indian professionals
H1B visa is used by American tech companies to recruit large numbers of foreign professionals. Indian professionals – especially those from the IT sector, engineering and medical fields – are the largest group of H1B visa holders. In such a situation, this new verification process is likely to have a widespread impact on Indian applicants as well.

Trying to stop H1B abuse
The embassy said in its statement that this step has been taken with the aim of preventing misuse of the H1B visa program. It is also being ensured that American companies can hire the best temporary foreign workers.

Policy to curb illegal immigration
This strictness has come at a time when America is taking comprehensive action against illegal immigration and misuse of visa programs. The H1B visa system is also under this monitoring.

Visa application process continues
The US Embassy has clarified that US Embassies and Consulates across the world, including India, continue to accept and process H1B and H4 non-immigrant visa applications.

The Embassy has advised applicants to apply for these visa categories as soon as possible, as the visa process may take longer than usual due to the new vetting process.

Hundreds of H-1B visa holders who returned to India earlier this month to renew their work permits are stuck here as appointments have been suddenly postponed to next year due to the US State Department’s new social media scrutiny policy. These appointments of workers were scheduled between 15 and 26 December. This period also coincides with the American holiday season.

Interviews scheduled for mid-to-late December have reportedly been postponed to March next year. Many leading law firms have said that hundreds of their clients are stranded in India. Indian immigration lawyer Veena Vijay Ananth told the Washington Post that this is the biggest mistake ever. I don’t think there is any solution to this.

US State Department gave information through e-mail
According to reports, a man living on the outskirts of Detroit returned to India this month to attend a wedding. His dates of meeting at the embassy were fixed on 17th and 23rd December, but now their period has expired. Experts are worried about how long the companies for which he works will wait for his return.

According to the report, the US State Department informed Indian workers in an email that their interviews have been delayed due to a new screening policy on social media, which is aimed at ensuring that no applicant poses a threat to US national security or public safety.

American Embassy issued warning
The US Embassy in India issued a warning on December 9, saying that if a visa applicant reaches the embassy on the previously scheduled date even after receiving information about the change in the interview date, he will not be granted entry. The alert said, “If you have been informed by e-mail that the date of your visa interview has been changed, the Indian Embassy is ready to assist you in your new date. You will not be admitted to the Embassy or Consulate if you arrive on the previously scheduled date. According to a report released in April by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 71 percent of H-1B visa holders are from India.

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The US State Department has made it mandatory to check social media profiles for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. This new rule has come into effect from today i.e. 15 December 2025. Earlier this scrutiny was done only for F, M and J visas of students and exchange visitors, now it has been extended to H-1B i.e. skilled workers and H-4 visas of their family members also.

Social media account will have to be made public

According to the State Department, the purpose of this investigation is to strengthen national security. Every visa application will now be viewed from the perspective of national security. Applicants have been asked to make ‘public’ the privacy settings of all their social media accounts (like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn etc.) so that the officials can easily check. If the profile remains private or any online activity appears suspicious, the visa may be delayed or even denied.

Appointments of visa applicants in India canceled

Due to this new rule, many H-1B and H-4 visa interview dates have been canceled in India. Many December appointments have now been shifted to March 2026. This effect is being seen especially in American embassies like Hyderabad and Chennai. This is affecting thousands of Indian tech professionals and their families, as most of the H-1B visa applications come from India.

Visa of Indians in America canceled

Some H-1B and H-4 visa holders living in the US have received emails that their visas have been ‘prudential revocation’. This usually happens when old legal cases (even if there was no conviction) are re-examined. According to immigration experts, this cancellation does not affect the legal stay in the US, but there will be re-checking the next time at the time of visa stamping.

Visa processing time will increase

The State Department has clearly said that visa is not a right but a privilege. He will use all available information to ensure that applicants do not pose a threat to America’s security or interests. This change may increase visa processing time and impact travel plans.

Applicants are advised to pre-check their social media posts and ensure that there is no information that is inconsistent with the visa rules.

Ami Bera, member of the US House of Representatives, has made an important comment regarding the relations between India and America. He was speaking at the hearing of the Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives on South and Central Asia. During this, he openly expressed his views on India’s foreign policy, global role, H-1B visa issues, India’s proximity with Russia and balanced coexistence with China.

Ami Bera told that recently a senior member had a joint photo of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Some members objected to this picture, but according to Bera, this picture reflects India’s long-term strategy. He said that India will have to co-exist with China to some extent due to its geographical and strategic environment, but its real priorities and long-term interests clearly lie with the Western countries. According to him, India understands that America plays an important role in its economic and technological progress.

Concern over H-1B visa fees
Ami Bera also spoke on an important issue related to the American immigration system. He said that the fee of up to $100,000 on H-1B visa puts a huge burden on the companies and American companies also suffer losses due to this. According to him, President Trump has also understood that stopping technical talent from coming to America is not in the interest of the country. Bera also expressed the hope that in future such a visa system can be created so that Indian scientists and engineers can go to America without complications and American experts can visit India. He said that these are the people who do not have any security concerns and this would be an ideal step for technical cooperation between the two countries.

America’s concern on Russia-India relations

India’s close relations with Russia often become a topic of discussion in America. Ami Bera gave his clear opinion on this also. He acknowledged that US policymakers have some concerns about India’s close ties with Russia, but he also acknowledged that these ties stem from India’s historical and strategic circumstances. He said that India’s dialogue with Russia is important even today and it is this unique position that gives India a unique role on the global stage. Bera also added that President Biden is making genuine efforts to end the Ukraine conflict and India can play a mediator or bridge role in this process.

Preparation to bring Russia into the mainstream after Ukraine war

Ami Bera indicated that after the end of the Ukraine conflict, the US and its allies will have to think together about how to re-integrate Russia into the global mainstream. He acknowledged that India’s role could be very important in this goal, because India maintains dialogue with both Russia and the West.

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In a major change in America’s immigration system, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that now the maximum validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) will be reduced. This decision will impact millions of Indian professionals and their families. The agency says that this change is necessary to strengthen security checks and detect potential risks.

USCIS said the new policy will allow for more frequent screening of people seeking permission to work in the US, to prevent fraud and to identify individuals with malicious intentions so that they can begin the process of removing them from the country.

People should not become a threat to public safety

Director Joseph Edlow linked the decision to public safety concerns. He said reducing the employment-permission period would ensure that people who want to work in the United States do not pose a threat to public safety and do not promote anti-national ideologies.

Foreign citizens should be checked frequently

Referring to a recent incident, he said that the person who attacked National Guard soldiers in Washington was allowed to come into the country by the previous administration. After this incident, it has become more important that foreign citizens are checked repeatedly. These changes directly impact several categories that are used by Indian citizens in large numbers, such as employment-based green card applicants and H-1B workers who are undergoing processing.

EAD valid for only 18 months instead of 5 years

Now according to the new policy, EADs given to refugees, asylum seekers, those seeking relief from removal process and those applying for Green Card (INA 245) were earlier valid for five years, but now it will be valid only for 18 months. The policy alert states that this rule applies to all applications pending or filed on or after December 5, 2025.

This change could create new concerns for Indian applicants who are already facing long waits for green cards for years. Many Indians rely on long-term EADs and advance parole documents to remain employed. The Indian expatriate community is the largest beneficiary of employment-based visas in the US. They will be most affected by this change.

Amidst the ongoing discussion regarding H-1B visa issued in America, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has given a big statement. He said that America has benefited a lot from talented Indians. He acknowledged the role of immigrant talent in shaping technology and innovation in America.

US benefited a lot from Indians: Musk

Elon Musk also mentioned the presence of people of Indian origin in top positions in global companies. He said, “We all have CEOs of Indian origin in Western companies.” In a podcast with Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of broking firm Zerodha, Musk said, “America has been attracting intelligent people from all over the world for a long time, due to which a situation of migration has also arisen in India. I think America has benefited a lot from the talented Indians who have come to America.”

Trump’s opinion on H-1B visa and immigration

The White House on Tuesday (25 November 2025) defended Donald Trump’s views on H-1B visas, saying that the President’s view on this matter is balanced and based on common sense. White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt said that Trump will allow foreign workers to come only initially, so that when big companies set up new factories in America, work can start, but in the future, only American workers will be hired at those places.

He said that many people have not been able to understand the President’s thinking properly. Trump has clearly told foreign companies that if they are investing in America, they will have to employ only American people. This statement has come at a time when Trump had supported legal immigration just a few days ago, in which he had said that he would welcome thousands of people from abroad to train American workers in tech-related industries.

‘Foreign workforce will teach Americans to make computer chips’

Giving an example, Trump had said that the companies that spend billions of dollars and open a big computer chip factory in Arizona cannot run such factories by picking people from the unemployed queue. They will have to bring in thousands of experts in the beginning and they welcome it. He further said that the foreign workforce will teach our people to make computer chips and other things. Trump admitted that because of this thinking he may have to face some criticism from his supporters.

There is a rift in the relationship between Trump and Musk

Elon Musk had given his full support to Trump in the US presidential elections and also campaigned for him at many places. He joined the election campaign with Trump and started giving the slogan of Make America Great Again. Musk became the most public face of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the early days of the Trump administration. After a few days, there was a rift in their friendship and both were attacking each other on public platforms.

US President Donald Trump has given a big statement on Tuesday (November 11, 2025) regarding H-1B visa. He said that America does not have sufficient number of talented people to fill the required jobs domestically. President Trump made this statement while defending the H-1B visa program, which allows foreign workers to work in America.

In an interview with ‘Fox News’, when President Trump was asked whether his government would reduce the number of H-1B visas, because this could affect the wages of American workers. To this Trump replied that I completely agree with this, but you also have to bring talent.

During the interview, when Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham said that we have a lot of talented people here, Trump immediately replied that no, you don’t have. “You don’t have certain talents and people have to learn,” he said. Because you cannot pick someone from the line of unemployed and say that I will employ you in a missile factory.

in Georgia ICE President Trump spoke on the raid

During this, President Donald Trump cited the Immigration and Customs (ICE) raid in September on a Hyundai facility in Georgia, where after checking the immigration status of hundreds of South Korean contractors, they were first arrested and then deported.

He said, ‘ICE raided Georgia because they wanted to take out illegal immigrants, there were people from South Korea who have been making batteries all their lives. Making batteries is a very difficult task, it is not easy. There is a lot of danger in this, there are explosions and many other difficulties. There in the initial phase, 500 to 600 people were making batteries and also teaching others how to do it. Even though ICE wanted to deport them, you’re going to need people like that.

Trump had issued an executive order regarding H-1B visa in September

US President Donald Trump had issued an executive order regarding the H-1B visa program in September this year. Under which the application fee for H-1B visa was increased to one lakh dollars. This step of Trump was part of the policy of strictness on immigration and control on foreign workers.

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US lawmakers have appealed to President Donald Trump to reconsider his order regarding H1-B visa, which includes a huge fee of US $ 1,00,000. The lawmakers said Indian citizens are at the center of America’s leadership in information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI) and such restrictive policies will negatively impact relations between the US and India.

US House of Representatives member Jimmy Panetta as well as Congress members Ami Bera, Salud Carbajal and Julie Johnson wrote a letter to Donald Trump on Thursday (October 30, 2025). Lawmakers expressed concern over Trump’s announcement to “restrict the entry of certain nonimmigrant workers” to the H1-B visa program, which imposes a US$100,000 fee on new applications, among other restrictions.

‘You should postpone the announcement of September 19’

They said, “As members of the delegation that recently visited India, we understand the importance of the H-1B program not only to the US economy, national security and competitive advantage, but also to the relations between the Indian-American communities.” The lawmakers said in the letter, ‘We respectfully request you to postpone the September 19 announcement and reconsider any policy that undermines fair access to the H-1B program.’

What did you say by referring to China?

He said that at a time when China is aggressively investing in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies. The United States must continue to attract the world’s best talent to sustain its innovation ecosystem, strengthen its defense industrial base, and maintain its long-term competitive edge.

“In the case of India, which was the country of origin for 71 percent of H-1B holders last year, attracting this talent also strengthens our strategic partnership with a major democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

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