US Visa Stamping Delays Leave Indian Professionals Stranded in Pune, Other Cities

Pune, 21st December 2025: Several Indian professionals working in the United States have returned to Pune and other cities in India for visa stamping, only to face unexpected delays after their interview and stamping appointments were postponed by two to six months. The sudden rescheduling has left many stranded in India, creating uncertainty around their employment, salaries, and residency status in the US.

According to affected applicants, the visa stamping process, which earlier took a few weeks, has now been extended to several months. Many professionals had planned their travel well in advance, relying on confirmed appointment dates and scheduled return plans. The delays have caused significant financial and mental stress, particularly among young working professionals.

Sources suggest that the prolonged processing time may be linked to stricter scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity, including old messages, photographs, and personal opinions. While no official confirmation has been issued, the speculation has added to the anxiety among applicants awaiting their visas.

The impact of the delays has gone beyond work-related concerns. Several applicants are facing the risk of losing house leases in the US, disruption to their children’s education, and complications with employment contracts. In some cases, companies have reportedly imposed conditions requiring employees to return within a specific timeframe, failing which their positions could be affected.

Professionals have reported receiving sudden messages informing them that their visa processing time would now extend up to six months. Similar situations have been reported in other major cities, including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Delhi, indicating that the issue is not limited to Pune alone.

Visa stamping refers to the official endorsement on a passport that allows entry into a foreign country. Without this stamp, individuals cannot travel, even if they hold valid approval or work authorization. The process involves verification of documents related to employment, residency, qualifications, and compliance with immigration regulations.

For countries such as the United States, visa renewal or fresh stamping is generally required to be completed through the embassy in the applicant’s home country. This makes it mandatory for professionals to return to India for personal interviews and passport endorsement. As a result, thousands of Indian professionals travel back every year to renew visas nearing expiration.

Amid the growing concern, professionals have urged the central government to intervene and take up the issue with the US authorities. There is also a demand for special arrangements at the embassy level to expedite pending cases and prevent abrupt changes in appointment schedules in the future.

“If visas are not issued on time, many families will face a severe financial setback. Sudden changes in appointment dates have put our jobs and livelihoods at risk,” said a working professional who applied for visa stamping.