India Voices Concerns Over US H-1B Visa Policy Amid Interview Cancellations

New Delhi: India has conveyed its concerns to the United States over the cancellation of thousands of scheduled H-1B visa interviews. Although the interviews were initially scheduled to begin on December 15, they were later withdrawn, creating difficulties particularly for Indian applicants.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said that visa-related matters fall under the sovereign domain of the United States, but India has formally communicated its concerns to the US authorities. There is also concern that the recent one-time increase in fees for new work visas will adversely affect Indian nationals.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has introduced major changes to the visa issuance process. The long-standing lottery system has been scrapped, and a new “weighted approach” will be implemented, giving priority to foreign workers with higher skills and higher salaries.

This change is expected to make it more difficult for young professionals from India to secure jobs in the United States. The new rules will come into effect on February 27, 2026, and will apply to the approximately 85,000 visas issued annually.

In addition, there is a proposal requiring employers to pay an additional fee of 100,000 US dollars for each visa in order to secure visas for professionals. This move is expected to have the greatest impact on Indian professionals, especially those in the IT sector.