US Visa Renewal Chaos: H-1B Workers Stranded in India Amid Unannounced Appointment Cancellations
Image Source: Internet
A sudden wave of unannounced appointment cancellations by US consular offices has left hundreds of Indian H-1B visa holders stranded in India. The affected individuals, who had returned to India to renew their work permits in December, received new appointment dates months later, causing widespread frustration. Google, which hires around 1,000 H-1B visa workers annually, has advised its employees to avoid international travel due to the 'risk of an extended stay.' The cancellations are linked to the US's new visa-vetting policy, which includes screening applicants' social media history for potential national security risks. This move has added to the controversy surrounding the H-1B programme, which has been a cornerstone of US immigration policy. Indians hold over 70% of H-1B visas, but the programme has faced pushback from US President Donald Trump and his allies. The programme's future remains uncertain, with the recent introduction of a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications. Immigration lawyers have described the situation as the 'biggest mess' they have seen, and companies like Google are taking precautions to mitigate the impact of the delays.
