Thousands of H-1B visa holders are facing sudden cancellations of their stamping appointments. Interview dates have been pushed from early 2026 to as late as October 2026, causing panic among Indian professionals in the US. The American Bazaar reports that this wave of cancellations started in mid-December 2025 and is continuing. Many applicants had booked flights and leaves but now face cancellations and extra fees. Immigration lawyer Sangeetha Mugunthan from Somireddy Law Group advises those affected to ask their employers for remote work or leave immediately. She said, “Despite limited legal action immediately available, the better option for affected applicants would be to plead with employers for remote work or leave, if that’s possible.” She also urged applicants to keep detailed records to avoid future job or visa issues, adding, “While a direct legal action against the cancellation itself is tough. I would advise applicants to document everything to avoid potential job loss or visa issues that can arise later.” The delay has hit hardest those who are currently in India, leaving them stranded and unable to return to work on time. Online forums like Reddit show community members sharing tips like booking refundable tickets or travelling just before their interview to reduce losses if appointments shift again. This disruption follows other visa challenges in 2025, such as delays in F-1 student visas and shock over proposed hikes to H-1B visa fees. The ongoing delays come amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which targets mainly Indian professionals who form a large part of the US tech workforce. Some in the MAGA movement are even pushing to ban the H-1B visa completely, accusing foreign workers of replacing American jobs. Ram Raghu, an H-1B professional, shared online: “Only an NRI can understand, the pain of living with the visa complications.” For now, many are left scrambling to protect jobs and travel plans as new interview dates drift further away.