India flags H-1B visa delays with US, says talks ongoing to ease hardship

India has formally flagged concerns with the United States over delays and cancellations of H-1B visa appointments, saying the issue has caused significant hardship to Indian nationals, including disruptions to education and family life.

The Ministry of External Affairs said it has received multiple representations from Indian citizens facing difficulties in scheduling or rescheduling US visa appointments. Addressing the issue at a press briefing on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi has taken up the matter with US authorities both in India and in Washington DC.

He noted that while visa issuance falls under the sovereign jurisdiction of the issuing country, India has conveyed the concerns raised by affected citizens to the US side. According to the MEA, prolonged appointment delays have resulted in extended uncertainty and inconvenience for applicants and their families.

“These delays have caused extended hardships for affected individuals and their families, including disruptions to education. The government remains actively engaged with the US side to address the issue and minimise the impact on Indian nationals,” Jaiswal said.

The issue comes amid heightened scrutiny of the H-1B visa programme globally. The US Embassy in India has recently begun conducting online presence checks for all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants as part of efforts to prevent misuse of the system.

At the policy level, several proposals under consideration in the US could further tighten the H-1B framework. The US Department of Labor has proposed revisions to wage protection rules that may significantly increase prevailing wage requirements for H-1B workers. Separately, the Department of Homeland Security is close to approving a proposal that would prioritise higher-paid applicants in the H-1B lottery.

Experts warn that such measures could reduce opportunities for recent graduates and early-career professionals, including those working in emerging and critical technology sectors. Any major overhaul of the programme is expected to have a disproportionate impact on Indian professionals, who have accounted for over 70 per cent of H-1B visa recipients in recent years.