While H-1B delays continue to cause uncertainty, the temporary Green Card opening offers a crucial chance for long-waiting Indian professionals to move closer to permanent residency—provided they act without delay
Hundreds of Indian professionals holding H-1B visas have been left stranded in India after US consular offices abruptly postponed visa renewal appointments to 2026, following the rollout of a new social media vetting policy by the Trump administration. Many applicants had travelled to India during the holiday season, expecting routine renewals, only to face extended delays.
Most of the affected appointments, originally scheduled between December 15 and 26, have now been rescheduled between March and June 2026, according to reports. The unexpected move has disrupted work commitments and personal plans for professionals employed in the US, particularly in technology and specialised fields.
At the same time, a contrasting development has brought cautious optimism for Indian applicants waiting in long US Green Card backlogs.
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The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released its January 2026 visa bulletin showing significant forward movement in several employment-based categories
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Indian applicants saw notable progress in EB-1 and EB-5 categories, with advances of nearly one year and close to two years respectively
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EB-2 and EB-3 categories also moved forward, offering limited relief to heavily backlogged applicants
Adding to the opportunity, USCIS confirmed that eligible applicants can file for permanent residency using either the Final Action Dates chart or the Dates for Filing chart during January. Immigration experts describe this as a rare window that could benefit many professionals who were previously ineligible to apply.
Former USCIS official Michael Valverde noted that the scale of advancement was unexpected and may reflect efforts by the agency to increase application volumes. However, he cautioned that such progress is often followed by retrogression later in the year, urging eligible applicants to act quickly.
Immigration lawyers have echoed this advice, stressing that the filing window is narrow—from January 1 to January 31—and requires complete documentation, including medical examinations submitted with the I-485 application. Legal experts also emphasised careful preparation, particularly for EB-1 applicants, who must clearly document professional achievements and expertise.
