A Reddit user selected in the H-1B 2025 lottery expressed frustration over huge visa delays. The petition filed on June 20 is still “being processed” with no updates. "In previous years, I’ve seen colleagues complete their H-1B stamping and travel by December or January, so this already feels like a significant delay," they said. Worse, many H-1B interview appointments scheduled for January 2026 are being pushed to April 2027 due to backlog. The Redditor worried about how soon they could get an interview slot, saying, "Given this situation, even if my petition is approved by December 2025 or January 2026, how soon can I realistically expect to get an interview slot? Is it likely that interview availability will really be pushed out to 2027, or are there chances of earlier slots opening up?" They also revealed having a job offer in Germany from their current company. Asking if pursuing this option was wise, they said: "Considering the growing uncertainty, processing delays, and visa interview backlogs associated with the H-1B process, would it be advisable to pursue the Germany option instead?" Since December 8, US consulates, especially in India, have massively rescheduled H-1B and H-4 visa appointments. New interview dates stretch into 2026, forcing many applicants to wait in India for six to nine months. India’s external affairs ministry said it has taken up this issue with the US. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "There are several people who have been stranded for extended periods of time because of scheduling or rescheduling of consular appointments, and these have also caused a lot of hardships to their families."