H-4 visa holders are encountering revocations linked to H-1B spousal concerns, reflecting heightened scrutiny on eligibility, including issues like past DUIs.

Overall, U.S. H-1B stamping appointments in India are being pushed into 2027 due to a backlog after Mission India rescheduled thousands of slots.

New H-1B rules announced at the end of 2025 boost lottery entries for higher salary and experience levels, while maintaining an annual cap of 85,000 (including 20,000 for U.S. master’s degree holders).

In tandem with stamping delays, the State Department is broadly revoking visas, with H-4 dependents affected when tied to H-1B petitioners.

U.S. consulates in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata have suspended regular H-1B visa interview slots through 2027, crippling stamping timelines for Indian professionals.

A new lottery reweighting increases entries for higher credential levels, with Level IV getting four entries and levels III–I receiving three, two, and one entry respectively, and the lottery for fiscal year 2027 opens in early March 2026.

Employers are increasingly implementing emergency remote work and pressing for off-shore stamping or parole-in-place options for affected employees.

Immigration experts warn that prolonged delays could undermine the U.S. ability to attract global talent as other countries streamline skilled-worker visa processes.

The delays are largely driven by new social-media vetting rules effective mid-December 2025, adding about 20 minutes per case without extra staff.

Hundreds of H-1B holders who traveled to India in December faced sudden postponements, with some interview dates shifted to 2026 as officers began social-media vetting, and January–February dates moved to April–May 2027.

Global-mobility managers are advised to cancel non-essential travel and defer all voluntary H-1B stamping until at least Q3 2026, coordinating with U.S. counsel on leave letters and payroll to protect employment status.

Observers describe this as part of a broader overhaul of the H-1B system under the current administration, contributing to extended delays and scheduling uncertainty.