US visa appointments restart in India, but delays still continue

US consulates in India have started giving new interview dates for H-1B, H-4, and F-1 visas after many months of delays, as per reports. However, reports citing experts say the situation is still not fully normal.

New appointments slots are being released in small numbers in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.  The delays stated in December 2025, when the US government introduced stricter rules. Applicants had to make their social media accounts public for checking. Because of this, the visa process became slower, and many appointments were postponed to 2026 or even 2027.

Now, things are slowly improving. More visa slots are reportedly becoming available, which is helping people who were stuck in India and could not return to the US for work. Students applying for F-1 visas are also getting some relief, especially those planning to study in 2026. 

Overall, while the situation is getting better, it may take several more months for the visa system to return to normal.