India has officially conveyed its concerns to the United States over persistent problems faced by Indian nationals in securing or rescheduling H-1B visa appointments. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the matter has been raised with US authorities both in India and in Washington DC.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government has received several representations from affected individuals who have been struggling with long wait times and repeated appointment disruptions. While acknowledging that visa issuance falls within the sovereign authority of the United States, he stressed that India has highlighted the human impact of these delays.

According to Jaiswal, the prolonged uncertainty has caused serious difficulties for applicants and their families, including interruptions to academic plans and professional commitments. He added that Indian officials continue to engage with their US counterparts in an effort to ease the situation and reduce hardship for citizens.

The issue comes amid heightened scrutiny of the H-1B programme globally. The US Embassy in India has recently begun conducting online presence checks for H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of steps aimed at preventing misuse of the visa system.

At the same time, proposed policy changes in the US are adding to the uncertainty. The US Department of Labor is considering revisions to wage protection norms that could substantially increase minimum salary thresholds for H-1B workers, potentially discouraging employers from sponsoring visas. Separately, the Department of Homeland Security is nearing approval of a proposal that would favour higher-paid candidates in the H-1B lottery.

Industry experts warn that such changes could reduce opportunities for young professionals and recent graduates, including those working in high-growth and emerging sectors. Given that Indians account for over 70% of H-1B beneficiaries in recent years, any tightening of rules is expected to have a significant impact on Indian professionals.