H1B Fiasco: Indian Still In Shock In USA!

The situation of the Indian population in the United States has been a major cause of concern as no one knows when the H1B work visa will be approved. On top of that, the immigration department is cracking down on the working community alike.

An international student in the United States is facing serious uncertainty even after receiving approval for an H1B visa, highlighting growing concerns over administrative delays by US immigration authorities.

The student, who was earlier working under F1 STEM OPT, received confirmation that their H1B petition was approved through consular processing in mid November. However, the official approval notice from USCIS has still not been delivered.

This delay has created a complicated situation. The student’s SEVIS record was automatically marked as completed after the approval update, even though the transition to H1B status has not actually taken place. Without the physical approval notice, the student cannot proceed with visa stamping or officially move into H1B status. At the same time, the university and Designated School Officials are unable to correct or reopen the SEVIS record without documentation from USCIS.

As a result, the student is currently unable to work and risks violating unemployment limits under STEM OPT rules. A service request was raised with USCIS in December, but no response has been received so far.

The case has triggered anxiety among international students, many of whom fear similar delays could leave them jobless despite valid approvals. The incident once again raises questions about processing efficiency and accountability within the US immigration system.