New Delhi, India | December 19, 2025
Thousands of Indian professionals are facing prolonged uncertainty as H-1B and H-4 visa interview delays in the United States worsen, with several appointments now postponed to mid or late 2026, even as India continues to import record volumes of Russian crude oil despite fresh US sanctions.
H-1B, H-4 Visa Interviews Pushed to 2026
The ongoing US visa bottleneck has intensified after hundreds of H-1B and dependent H-4 visa interviews, originally scheduled for late 2025 and early 2026, were repeatedly postponed. Many applicants report their interview dates have now been shifted to August or October 2026, leaving families separated and careers in limbo.
The delays stem from expanded social media vetting measures introduced by the US State Department, which first pushed interviews to February–March 2026 before triggering mass cancellations and fresh rescheduling. Immigration attorneys say some applicants with January 2026 appointments received abrupt email notifications shifting their slots by nearly a year.
Indian nationals account for around 71–80% of total H-1B approvals, with most affected individuals working in the technology sector. Online expat forums are flooded with frustration, with many questioning the long-term viability of working in the US amid mounting immigration uncertainty.
Experts warn that losing employment while waiting for visa processing could lead to hefty penalties or entry bans, urging applicants to remain employed despite the stress. Some visa holders are even calling on others with early 2026 bookings to cancel appointments in hopes of freeing slots for stranded applicants.
Russian Oil Imports Remain Strong Despite Sanctions
In a parallel development, India’s imports of Russian crude oil have remained resilient, crossing 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in December 2025, defying expectations of a sharp drop following new US sanctions on major Russian producers Rosneft and Lukoil.
Preliminary shipping data suggests arrivals could exceed 1.2 million bpd, with month-end averages potentially touching 1.5 million bpd, driven by pre-sanction deal rushes and steep discounts of nearly $6 per barrel below Brent crude offered by non-sanctioned suppliers.
India imported 1.77 million bpd of Russian oil in November, and December volumes remain robust as refiners resume purchases. While Reliance Industries has paused some buying, state-run refiners such as Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum continue to capitalize on discounted supplies.
India–Russia Energy Ties Stay Firm
Recent meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed commitments to uninterrupted energy supplies, underscoring the strength of bilateral ties despite Western pressure.
Analysts expect Russian oil flows to remain largely stable into January, though some forecasts suggest volumes could dip slightly below 1 million bpd as sourcing patterns adjust.
