The US Embassy in India recently canceled over 2,000 visa appointments, citing fraudulent activities by agents and automated bots. Officials stated that these appointments violated their scheduling policies, leading to immediate cancellations and the suspension of associated accounts. The Embassy reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on visa fraud and vowed to continue its anti-fraud efforts.

In connection with this crackdown, the Delhi Police Crime Branch registered an FIR against multiple visa and passport agents, primarily from Punjab and Haryana, following a complaint from the US Embassy. The complaint detailed how these agents submitted false information and fraudulent documents, including fake educational and employment certificates, to help applicants obtain US visas under false pretenses. Investigations revealed links to multiple IP addresses, suspected to be connected with visa consultants and document vendors.

Additionally, visa delays remain a significant issue. The backlog for H-1B, H-2B, and tourist visas has persisted, with wait times stretching up to 1,000 working days. The US Department of State’s latest Visa Bulletin also announced a two-year retrogression for India in the EB-5 Unreserved category, further extending green card processing times.

Despite past assurances from US officials that pandemic-related backlogs would be resolved, delays continue to impact Indian applicants. These developments highlight the growing scrutiny of visa applications and the tightening of policies to prevent fraudulent activities.