The US Embassy in India has issued a stern warning to Indian nationals as the Trump administration continues its sweeping overhaul of the H-1B visa program, with new rules including a $100,000 fee, mandatory social media vetting, and the end of the lottery system.
Breaking: US Embassy warns that anyone breaking US immigration laws will face "significant criminal penalties" as the Trump administration cracks down on both legal and illegal immigration pathways.
The US Embassy in India took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on December 30, 2025, to issue a clear message to visa applicants. "If you break U.S. law, you will be punished with significant criminal penalties. The Trump Administration is committed to ending illegal immigration to the United States and protecting our nation's borders and our citizens," the embassy stated.
This warning comes at a particularly sensitive time when thousands of Indian H-1B visa holders remain stranded in India due to ongoing appointment delays and enhanced vetting procedures. The timing of the advisory has sparked frustration among many applicants who are already facing months-long delays in visa processing.
US consulates across India have begun cancelling and rescheduling H-1B and H-4 visa appointments originally scheduled from mid-December 2025 through January 2026. Many new appointment dates have been pushed to March 2026 or later, leaving thousands of Indian professionals in limbo.
Indian nationals have been the largest recipients of H-1B visas, accounting for approximately 71% of all approved applications in recent years. The sweeping changes have disproportionately affected Indian professionals working in the US technology sector.
71%
H-1B Visas to Indians
$100,000
New Filing Fee
605,000
Deportations in 2025
12 months
Max Wait Time
Major US technology companies have issued internal advisories to their H-1B visa holders warning against international travel due to the unpredictable visa processing times.
Google and Apple have both advised employees on H-1B, H-4, F, J, and M visas to refrain from international travel. Some US embassies and consulates are experiencing appointment delays of up to 12 months, with companies warning that travel could result in extended stays outside the US.
Amazon has allowed stranded H-1B employees to work remotely from India until March 2, 2026, recognizing the unprecedented challenges posed by the visa delays.
September 19, 2025
President Trump issues Presidential Proclamation imposing $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions effective September 21, 2025
December 3, 2025
US State Department announces expanded social media vetting for H-1B and H-4 applicants
December 10, 2025
US Embassy India announces mass cancellation of H-1B visa appointments scheduled between December 15-26
December 15, 2025
Mandatory online presence review for all H-1B and H-4 applicants goes into effect
December 29, 2025
DHS publishes final rule on weighted H-1B selection process to replace lottery system
December 30, 2025
US Embassy India issues warning about criminal penalties for breaking immigration laws
Alongside the criminal penalties warning, the US Embassy in India has also issued a public alert about the rise in visa-related scams targeting desperate applicants. The embassy cautioned Indian nationals to:
Who is affected by the $100,000 fee?
The fee applies to new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025. It does not apply to petitions filed before this date or to extensions of existing H-1B status.
What is the new selection process?
The random lottery system has been replaced with a weighted selection process that favors higher-skilled and higher-paid workers. This change aims to prioritize the most qualified candidates.
What happens if my visa appointment is rescheduled?
The US Embassy warns that appearing on your originally scheduled date after receiving a rescheduling email will result in denial of entry to the embassy or consulate.
How long are the current delays?
Some applicants report appointment delays of up to 12 months. Tech companies have advised employees to avoid international travel due to the unpredictable processing times.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has raised concerns with the United States over the cancellation of pre-scheduled H-1B visa interviews for a large number of Indian applicants. Both countries are reportedly in discussions to resolve the disruptions caused by Washington's enhanced
Nasscom, India's leading vetting procedures. trade body for the IT sector, has expressed concern about the timeline for implementing the new $100,000 fee, warning of potential "ripple effects" on US innovation and the wider job economy.
"The whole import of the new H-1B visa policies adopted by the US is really to discourage the use of foreign workers in the United States except for specialized skills and for high-paying jobs for which there is a lack of available talent in the US." — Meera Shankar, Former Indian Ambassador to the US
Immigration experts note that while the crackdown is aimed at preventing abuse of the H-1B program, it has also created significant challenges for legitimate highly-skilled workers who have followed all proper procedures. The combination of fees, vetting, and delays has created an unprecedented level of uncertainty for Indian professionals seeking to work in the United States.
The changes represent a fundamental shift in US immigration policy toward highly-skilled workers. Applicants should expect longer processing times, higher costs, and more rigorous vetting. The weighted selection process means that higher education credentials and salary levels will play a more significant role in visa approvals.
As the Trump administration continues its immigration crackdown, Indian professionals and students planning to work or study in the United States face a challenging new landscape. The embassy warnings make clear that violations of immigration laws will not be taken lightly, while the operational changes to the H-1B program represent the most significant reforms to the visa system in decades.
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