The US Embassy in India has issued a strong warning to applicants about visa scams, amid ongoing delays in H-1B visa processing and renewals that have left many stranded in India. According to an advisory highlighted by the embassy on X (formerly Twitter), fraudulent agents promising guaranteed visas or faster approvals are targeting applicants, potentially costing them money, time, and travel plans.
The embassy emphasized that the only legitimate way to obtain a US visa is through the official embassy or consulate channels. Appointments must be booked via the official scheduling portal, www.ustraveldocs.com. “If anyone says they can get you a visa outside this process, they are trying to scam you,” the embassy stated in the video.
Addressing the role of visa agents, officials clarified that no agent, fixer, or travel agency can guarantee a US visa. While some agents may claim to provide faster approvals, applicants are advised to avoid such services, which often charge high fees and offer misleading information. “The only fees you need to pay for a US visa are the ones outlined in our application,” the embassy added.
Applicants are also urged to rely solely on official sources for accurate information, including travel.state.gov and the US Embassy India visa site, in.usembassy.gov/visas, to avoid scams or misinformation.
The advisory comes amid major delays affecting Indian H-1B visa holders and applicants. Many appointments at American consulates were canceled or postponed by several months following new US policies under the Trump administration, which ended the H-1B visa lottery system and introduced a weighted system prioritizing applicants with advanced skills and higher salaries.
According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Indians accounted for an estimated 71% of approved H-1B applications in recent years, making them particularly vulnerable to fraud during the current delays. The embassy stressed that these measures aim to prevent misuse of the H-1B program while enabling companies to recruit highly skilled temporary foreign workers.
