Late-2025 consular policy shifts create 2026 visa processing bottlenecks

H-1B and H-4 interview rescheduling, expanded vetting requirements, and new restrictions on third-country national processing heighten travel risk and delay visa issuance

Indian passport
iStock.com/Pradeep Thomas Thundiyil

The end of 2025 was marked by significant rescheduling of H-1B/H-4 visa appointments in India, restrictions on third-country processing, and expanded visa applicant screening and