All five US consulates in India — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata — are showing “NA” (not available) for regular H-1B interview slots through 31 December 2026, according to updated State Department scheduling data. Indian passport holders requiring H-1B visa stamping or renewal must now plan for appointments in 2027 at the earliest.
H-1B Interview Slots India: What the State Department Data Shows
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Consulates affected | All five US consulates in India |
| Slot availability (regular) | Not available (NA) through 31 Dec 2026 |
| Emergency appointments | Available with proof of hardship only |
| Domestic renewal pilot (US-based) | Does not apply to applicants in India |
| Next realistic appointment window | 2027 |
Two factors have driven the backlog to this point. First, petition filings reached record volumes as employers rushed to beat tighter US wage-level rules. Second, consular staffing has not recovered from pandemic-era reductions. The US Mission’s “surge Saturday” initiative, which created 250,000 additional B-1/B-2 visa slots in 2025, has not been extended to employment visa categories.
A domestic visa renewal pilot launched in Washington, D.C., applies only to H-1B holders already present inside the United States. It provides no relief to Indian professionals who need stamping from India before traveling to the US for the first time or after returning home.
Impact on Indian H-1B Applicants and Employers
Indian IT companies that rotate 20–25% of their onsite US-based staff each year face direct disruption to overseas deployment timelines. HR teams are now redirecting engineers to near-shore centres in Canada and Poland as a short-term measure. US-based employers must factor in the risk of staff being unable to return to the US after travel to India.
Immigration lawyers have advised H-1B holders to file extension petitions well in advance and build remote-work arrangements into project planning. For professionals whose visa stamps have expired or are expiring, third-country stamping — attending a US consulate interview in a country such as Singapore — is a documented option, though appointment availability in those locations is also tightening.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has formally raised the issue of US visa delays in two bilateral meetings with US authorities. A proposal for a fee-based premium appointment channel is under study by the State Department; no decision has been announced.
Use our US Visa Guide for a full breakdown of H-1B documentation requirements, and check our Processing Times tool to monitor consular wait times across locations.
For professionals weighing third-country options, the Eligibility Checker can help assess which consulate locations may accept out-of-district applications.
Source: US Department of State, United States
FAQ
Are there any H-1B interview slots available at US consulates in India right now?
No. Updated State Department scheduling data show all five US consulates in India display “NA” (not available) for regular H-1B interview slots through 31 December 2026.
Can Indian H-1B holders get an emergency appointment in 2026?
Emergency appointments remain available but require stringent proof of hardship. Routine renewal or first-time stamping cases do not qualify under this category.
Does the new US domestic visa renewal pilot help Indians based in India?
No. The domestic visa renewal pilot operates only for individuals already inside the United States. It does not apply to Indian nationals seeking stamping from India.
What is third-country stamping and how does it apply here?
Third-country stamping means attending a visa interview at a US consulate in a country other than India, such as Singapore. However, appointment queues in those countries are also lengthening.
Has the Indian government raised this issue with US authorities?
Yes. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has flagged visa delays in two previous bilateral meetings between the two governments.
When should affected professionals expect H-1B interview slots to open?
Based on current scheduling data, slots are not available before 2027. A specific reopening date has not been announced by the US State Department.