Some H-1B slots were reportedly opened in India after 100 days.
Several H-1B Redditors reported on Friday that some interview slots for H-1B and H-4 visa holders randomly opened for April and May 2026. This came as a relief to thousands of H-1Bs stranded in India, as there were no new interview slots available in any of the four consulates in India for the entire year of 2026. However, these slots opened haphazardly and did not indicate any easing of the situation. “H1B and H4 visa slots are starting to open up. From what I’m seeing, there are plenty of consular appointment slots available right now, but VAC (biometrics) slots are being released very slowly, often one at a time. If you’re trying to book, it’s worth checking back frequently throughout the day as new VAC slots appear sporadically. Please stay tuned to the page and alternate between locations. It is mostly opening in Chennai and Hyderabad. I got mine today!” posted one Redditor.
H-1B impasse in India: No slots open in last 100 days
After December 15, 2025, the situation of H-1B stamping in India worsened when hundreds of interviews scheduled in December were rescheduled to March–April 2026, throwing all the interviews into disarray. As the December dates were postponed to March–April, a large backlog was created as the State Department said more time would be required for H-1B and H-4 interviews due to social media scrutiny.H-1Bs traveling to India to obtain a visa stamp were stuck in India because they could not re-enter the US without a new stamp. Some companies like Amazon allowed their stranded workers to work from India, but many companies were unable to understand how to handle this unprecedented situation. Immigration lawyers in the US said there is no estimate as to how many H-1B and their dependent H-4 visa holders are stuck in India due to the delay in stamping. He said senators, congressmen should have raised the issue with the State Department because businesses in the US are suffering losses, but he did not see any concern among the people who matter.
Are slots opening? what to know
- There has been no official announcement from the Embassy regarding slots becoming available, just as there was no notification on slots becoming unavailable until 2027.
- Many social media users said that the slots were opened only for those who have already completed their biometrics.
- The haphazard opening of some slots in April and May in 2026 does not indicate that the crisis is subsiding.