The US State Department's sudden visa appointment rescheduling has left many H-1B visa holders stranded outside the US. Visa interviews initially set for December 2023 and January 2024 have been deferred until late 2026. This happened due to new social media checks starting December 15, which slowed down interview scheduling. Many H-1B workers traveled to their home countries, like India, for visa stamping — now mandatory in their home country. But with interviews postponed, many are stuck abroad unable to return. Immigration attorney David Santiago warns of possible problems when these workers try to re-enter the US after long absences. "You generally cannot keep working remotely from India for months and still expect H-1B status to be clean," he said. He explained that the H-1B visa ties employees to a US worksite, and long trips abroad can trigger questions about abandoning US employment. Santiago advises affected workers to get a clear written statement from their employer. The document should confirm remote work permission due to visa delays and specify the dates allowed. "You would have to explain this to the official and hope that they understand that this was completely out of your control," Santiago said. If remote work is not approved, taking unpaid leave or pausing work formally until the new stamping can be arranged is another option. This unfolding visa chaos puts jobs and families at risk as wait times stretch to nearly three years. H-1B holders caught in this maze must plan carefully to protect their status and employment.