For Indians aspiring to visit, study, work, or settle in the United States, the visa landscape in 2026 continues to be active yet challenging. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are accepting applications in all major visa categories, but significant policy changes — including stricter interview requirements and scheduling rules — have reshaped the process. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through which visas are open, what’s changed in the application process, and how to successfully navigate your US visa journey.

1. Are US Visas Currently Open for Indians?

Yes. The U.S. diplomatic missions in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata) are fully operational and accepting visa applications across major categories — including visitor, student, work, and immigrant visa classes. However, appointment availability is limited due to high global demand, and wait times remain lengthy in many categories.

2. Major US Visa Categories Open Right Now

a) B-1/B-2 Visitor Visas (Tourism & Business)

The B-1/B-2 visa remains open for Indian applicants. You can apply for short-term travel for business or tourism, but scheduling interview slots has become more competitive, and wait times can stretch over a year in many Indian consulates.

Key points:

• In‐person consular interviews are required for most applicants.

• Third-country applications (applying outside India) are no longer permitted for short-term visas.

b) F-1 & M-1 Student Visas

Indian students heading to U.S. universities or vocational schools can apply for F-1 or M-1 visas. These remain open, but due to high demand:

• Interview appointments are limited.

• Wait times for slots are long — particularly for peak academic seasons.

Important: Unlike earlier years when third-country slots eased wait times, students must now apply through Indian posts only.

c) H-1B Work Visas

The U.S. work visa system, including H-1B, remains open for qualified professionals with a job offer from a US employer. Applicants must:

• Complete the petition and receive approval (I-797).

• Attend an interview at a U.S. consulate in India.

• Be prepared for additional vetting, including social media review for some applicants.

Note: New policies may include updated fees (like the proposed $100,000 H-1B fee discussed in 2025) — although some clarifications were issued on who pays and when.

d) Other Non-Immigrant Work & Specialty Visas

Several other US work visa categories remain open:

• L-1 (intracompany transfers)

• O-1 (individual with extraordinary ability)

• J-1 (exchange visitors)

• P-1 (athletes/performers)
  These categories are active but follow the same interview and processing guidelines as other non-immigrant visas.

e) Immigrant & Family-Based Visas (Green Cards)

U.S. immigrant visa categories — including family-sponsored visas and employment-based green cards (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) — are technically open. However:

• Some investor-based routes like EB-5 may reach their annual quota and temporarily pause (e.g., 2025 pause until fiscal year reset watched through September 30).

These immigrant categories continue to process requests, but backlogs (especially for Indian nationals) can be lengthy depending on the preference category.

3. Important Policy Changes (2025–2026)

a) Mandatory In-Person Interviews

From September 2025 onwards, nearly all non-immigrant visa applicants — including tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), and work (H, L, O, J) visas — must attend in-person interviews at their home country’s U.S. consulate. Interview waivers or “dropbox” renewals have been significantly restricted.

Exemptions exist mainly for:

• Diplomatic and official visas (categories A, G, NATO, TECRO E-1, etc.).

• Limited revivals for specific renewals with strict criteria — though these are rare now.

b) No Third-Country Visa Applications

One big shift is that Indian applicants can no longer apply for US visas in other countries (like Thailand, Germany, etc.) for regular categories. You must apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in India unless there is no routine visa service in your residence country.

c) Additional Screening Measures

There’s a growing trend of enhanced vetting, particularly for work and student visas, including:

• Social media reviews

• Background checks

Applicants should be honest and consistent across all information platforms.

4. Tips to Improve Your Chances

Plan Early: Start the process as far in advance as possible — visa interview slots often fill quickly.

Accurate Documentation: Ensure all forms (such as DS-160 for non-immigrant visas) are filled out carefully and accurately.

Consistent Social Media: If social media screening applies to your visa category (like H-1B), maintain consistent public profiles.

Understand Fees: Factor in the rise of fees like the Visa Integrity Fee (expected from 2026) which adds to your total cost.

5. Conclusion

Yes — the United States is currently issuing visas to Indian citizens across visitor, student, work, and immigrant categories. However, policy changes have made interview attendance mandatory for most applicants, eliminated third-country appointments, and increased demand for visa slots. Planning well, preparing documents carefully, and staying updated on policy changes will help maximize your chances of success.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are US visa interviews currently open for Indians?
   Yes — all major non-immigrant and immigrant visa interviews are open in India, but appointments are in high demand and can have long waits.

2. Can Indians still apply for a US visa from another country?
   No. New rules require interviews to be scheduled in your country of nationality or residence.

3. Is the B-1/B-2 visa open for tourism and business travel?
   Yes — but interview wait times remain long and slots limited.

4. Do student (F-1) visas require an interview?
   Yes — students must attend in-person interviews for F-1 visas.

5. Are H-1B work visas open in 2026?
   Yes — H-1B visas remain open for qualified professionals with job offers. Enhanced screening may apply.

6. Has the visa process become stricter recently?
   Yes — interview waivers are limited and social media screening may be used for certain categories.

7. Is the investor immigration route (EB-5) open now?
   EB-5 opened again after the 2025 cap reset, but check current yearly limits and quotas.

8. Is there a new visa fee in 2026?
   A “Visa Integrity Fee” of around $250 is planned for most non-immigrant visas starting 2026.

9. Can interview waivers still be used?
   Rarely — only for select renewals and limited exceptions.

10. How long are visa appointment wait times in India?
    Wait times vary but often extend beyond 12 months for some categories.