A “perfect storm” of policy shifts and administrative bottlenecks has effectively frozen H-1B visa stamping for Indian professionals. As of January 26, 2026, all regular interview slots at US consulates in India (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata) are fully booked through the end of the year, with many appointments now being pushed as far back as May 2027.
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1. Why the System is Showing “NA”
The “NA” (Not Available) status on the appointment portal indicates that the standard capacity for petition-based visas (H, L, O, P, Q) has been reached.
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The Backlog Trigger: In December 2025, consulates began mass-canceling existing appointments to accommodate new vetting protocols.
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The “Rolling” Delay: Dates originally set for early 2026 were first moved to late 2026 and have now been pushed into mid-2027.
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Capacity Reduction: Daily interview capacity at Indian consulates has reportedly been slashed by up to 40% to account for more intensive screenings.
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2. Three Major Policy Shifts Driving the Crisis
The sudden lack of availability is not just a seasonal surge; it is the result of structural changes to US immigration enforcement:
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Mandatory Social Media Screening: Since December 15, 2025, every employment-based visa applicant must undergo an “online presence review.” This adds significant time to each interview, creating a massive administrative bottleneck.
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End of Third-Country Stamping: The State Department has abolished the option for Indians to get their visas stamped in neighboring countries (like Thailand or Vietnam). This has funneled all demand back to the five overstretched Indian posts.
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Country of Residence Requirement: New rules now strictly require applicants to apply from their country of nationality or permanent residence, removing virtually all “workaround” options for professionals stranded in India.
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3. The FY 2027 Lottery: A “Weighted” Future
Alongside the stamping crisis, the H-1B lottery process itself has been overhauled for the upcoming cycle (registration begins March 2026):
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Wage-Based Selection: The random lottery has been replaced by a weighted system that favors higher-paid workers.
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Multiple Entries: Selection odds are now tied to Level I-IV wage tiers:
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Level IV (Highest): 4 entries in the pool.
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Level I (Entry-level): 1 entry in the pool.
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The $100,000 Fee: A controversial $100,000 fee now applies to certain H-1B petitions filed for beneficiaries outside the US (Consular Processing), though litigation regarding this fee is ongoing.
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