The US embassy in India canceled about 2,000 fraudulently booked visa appointments, exposing rampant bot abuse in the scheduling system. The embassy warned violators of account suspensions for breaching its strict scheduling policies.
In a bold move, the embassy announced on X, “Consular Team India identified bad actors who made about 2,000 visa appointments that violated our scheduling policies. Effective immediately, we are canceling these appointments and suspending the associated accounts’ scheduling privileges. We have zero tolerance for fraud.”
The H-1B Visa Race: Indian Workers Dominate
According to data shared in the Rajya Sabha, over 70% of all H-1B visas issued between October 2022 and September 2023 went to Indian skilled professionals. The H-1B program has an annual cap of 65,000 new visas per fiscal year, but demand continues to far exceed supply, fueling fraudulent practices by unscrupulous agents.
Visa Appointment Scam: Agents Exploit the System
Many travel agents exploit India’s high visa demand, using bots to hijack appointment slots. Desperate applicants are then forced to pay hefty sums—often ₹30,000 to ₹35,000—to secure an earlier appointment.
One frustrated applicant shared, “We tried to book a visa interview for our child to join an American university last fall, but there were no available slots. We paid an agent ₹30,000 and got an appointment instantly.”
Visa Delays and Stricter Regulations
Adding to the chaos, the latest April 2025 Visa Bulletin highlights significant delays for Indian applicants, especially in the EB-5 Unreserved category. Longer wait times are driving up demand for interview slots, further exacerbating scheduling issues.
Meanwhile, changes in visa renewal policies are causing additional hurdles. The US State Department recently tightened the eligibility period for visa interview waivers from 48 months to just 12 months. This means many applicants now have to appear for in-person interviews, increasing processing times and bottlenecks.
Travel Warning for H-1B, F-1 Visa Holders
Immigration attorneys are warning Indian visa holders—including H-1B professionals, F-1 students, and even Green Card holders—to reconsider travel plans. Despite India not being on the US travel ban list, tougher screenings, visa processing backlogs, and even detentions at US airports are on the rise.
One immigration expert stated, “Even applicants with multiple prior approvals are facing unexpected administrative reviews, causing massive delays in returning to the US.”
US Embassies Issue Stark Warnings
In Europe, several US embassies have taken to social media, warning visa seekers to “watch their step.” Embassies in at least 17 countries have issued cautionary messages featuring figures like President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing zero tolerance for criminal activities, terrorism support, and anti-government protests.
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The Bottom Line: Tighter Scrutiny Ahead
As US authorities ramp up anti-fraud efforts, visa applicants need to stay vigilant. Whether it’s stricter screening, longer wait times, or crackdowns on fraudulent bookings, the road to securing a US visa is getting tougher. Be prepared, follow official procedures, and avoid shortcuts that could cost you your opportunity—or worse, your eligibility to enter the US altogether.
