H-1B Issues Delay Wedding Guests and Ailing Parents’ Caregivers
H-1B visa issues are complicating the travel plans of many Indian professionals based in the United States. Several individuals, including a 27-year-old logistics manager from New York, are facing delays in obtaining necessary visa stamps. This has significantly impacted their ability to visit family members and attend important events.
Visa Stamping Delays Affect Personal Lives
The young professional had traveled to Ahmedabad to see his parents after being separated for two years. He had a scheduled appointment for visa stamping on December 15. However, on December 12, he received an email informing him that his appointment had been rescheduled. As a result, he now faces uncertainty about his job and visa status.
His employer has offered a four-month work-from-home option, but company policy stipulates that the arrangement cannot continue without a valid visa stamp. This situation is creating anxiety for many H-1B visa holders who are unsure about their prospects in the U.S.
Wider Impact of H-1B Visa Changes
Recent changes in U.S. visa policies have worsened the situation. Over the last six months, the U.S. has raised employer fees to $100,000 for hiring skilled foreign workers. Additionally, there are significant delays in processing H-4 spouse work authorization extensions, leading to a backlog at consulates.
- Visa stamping appointment dates are now extended until 2027 in India.
- Many professionals are postponing visits to their hometowns due to fears of being unable to return to the U.S.
One Ahmedabad-based tech employee is unable to visit his ailing father in the U.S. for care, despite feeling responsible as the only child. An IT professional in Texas had to cancel plans for a wedding in Gandhinagar, which he had anticipated for months.
Visa Consultants Weigh In
Immigration consultants indicate that professionals are now deferring travel plans this season, as the typical influx of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to India during December to February is notably reduced. With no immediate resolution in sight, many companies are advising their employees to remain in the U.S.
Lalit Advani, an immigration consultant, shared insights into the changing dynamics of the H-1B visa category. Once perceived as a golden opportunity for those seeking U.S. employment, it is now viewed as increasingly restrictive. Changes in regulations have led some individuals to consider traveling to Canada for visa stamping, but new rules now compel them to return to India.
Conclusion
The current H-1B visa crisis is not only delaying family reunions but also jeopardizing the careers of many workers. As uncertainty looms, professionals are left to navigate a complex and frustrating immigration landscape.
