Thousands of Indian work and dependant visa aspirants have had their US visa interviews rescheduled to March, April, or May 2026 by the US Consulate in India. Applicants for H1B and H4 visas received personal emails informing them of the new, much later dates. Many are worried about losing their jobs or being separated from family. One aspirant said, “My consular appointment was supposed to be on December 15 which got rescheduled to March 2026. I am supposed to fly back on January 1, if I don’t go I might lose out on my job.” Another H4 visa applicant shared, “Today morning, we are given a good morning surprise that your appointment is cancelled and moved to 5 months later. Now, what a mother will do without her nine year child who is in US, and she came to India for appointment.” The US Embassy in India issued a statement on December 9 confirming the rescheduling and advised that arriving on old dates will lead to denial of entry. Families are trapped between jobs, assets, and children separated across borders. A parent of one candidate said, “My daughter, biometric done on December 8, had her interview shifted from December 18 to after April. Jobs are at stake now.” The extent of affected applicants remains unclear. The US Consulate in Hyderabad was contacted for comment. Updates will follow as the situation develops.