H-1B Visa Processing Delays: What Indian Workers Need to Know

H-1B visa holders form the backbone of the U.S. tech and engineering workforce, and Indian nationals make up the majority of this group. Recent disruptions across federal immigration agencies have caused significant H-1B visa processing delays, leaving Indian professionals and their employers dealing with uncertainty. These delays affect renewals, LCA filings, PERM processing, and even long-term green card planning. For individuals whose legal status hinges on timely paperwork, the slowdown creates serious anxiety.

Why Indian professionals are hit hardest by H-1B visa processing delays

Around 70 percent of all H-1B visas are held by Indian citizens. When the Department of Labor or immigration systems experience any backlog, the impact is disproportionately felt by Indian skilled workers. The latest H-1B visa processing delays began when DOL temporarily halted PERM and LCA filings due to the federal funding freeze. Even after services resumed, the backlog created a bottleneck for employers trying to file extensions or initiate green card sponsorship.

These delays mean that Indian professionals waiting for LCA approvals cannot file their H-1B extensions on time. Any slowdown increases the risk of status complications, employment interruptions, or forced travel outside the U.S. In some cases, workers nearing the end of their initial H-1B period face compressed timelines for filing green-card-related paperwork. The ripple effect from H-1B visa processing delays reaches both short-term and long-term immigration plans.

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Employment, travel, and green card challenges

When an LCA is delayed, employers cannot submit an H-1B extension, which puts the worker at risk of gaps in employment authorization. For Indian nationals who support families or send money home, even a temporary gap can feel devastating. Long waits for approvals also complicate travel plans. Many individuals avoid international trips because re-entry becomes risky while paperwork remains pending.

Green card applicants are equally affected. Indian nationals already face decades-long wait times for permanent residency, and H-1B visa processing delays slow down the early steps of that journey. Delayed LCAs or stalled PERM filings push the entire timeline back, creating more uncertainty for workers who are already on a long immigration path.

How Indian H-1B workers can manage H-1B visa processing delays

The best response to these delays is early planning. Indian workers should begin renewal discussions with their employer months before their expiration date to ensure LCAs are filed as early as possible. Those beginning the green-card process should stay in close contact with their employer’s immigration counsel to avoid missed filing windows. During periods of H-1B visa processing delays, documentation must be kept current, travel should be minimized, and workers should track updates from DOL and USCIS.

Being proactive reduces the likelihood of status gaps and helps maintain stability despite ongoing uncertainty.

If you are dealing with H-1B visa processing delays and want case-specific guidance, reach out to Shan Potts Law Offices. Early legal support can protect your status and help you stay ahead of changing timelines.