US Visa News for Indians: 2026 Rule Changes

This roundup lists only changes with a date and an official source, as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15. It does not predict future rules. For the full application process, fees and documents, see our US visa guide for Indians.

Which US visa rules changed in 2025 and 2026?

Does the $100,000 H-1B payment apply to every Indian H-1B worker?

It applies to H-1B petitions for workers outside the United States. The employer pays it with the petition; it is not a visa application fee. The Department of Homeland Security can grant a national-interest exception.

The rule began with Proclamation 10973 from 21 September 2025 and was renewed for 12 months from 21 September 2026 by Proclamation 11069. Your own visa fee for an H-1B is still $205, paid after USCIS approves the I-129 petition.

The rest of the H-1B sequence is unchanged. The employer files a labor condition application with the US Department of Labor and an I-129 petition that USCIS must approve. The Embassy or a Consulate in India can then process your visa up to 90 days before the employment start date on the I-797, and you can enter from 10 days before that date.

How does weighted H-1B selection change the lottery?

For cap-subject H-1B registrations, DHS introduced a weighted selection process. It generally favours higher-skilled, higher-paid workers. The rule took effect on 27 February 2026 and applies from the FY 2027 registration season.

For an Indian graduate or early-career engineer, the pay and skill level of the offered job can now affect selection at the registration stage, before any petition is filed. The underlying job requirement is unchanged: a bachelor's or higher degree, or equivalent, in the specific specialty.

What changes for Indian students from 15 September 2026?

F students and J exchange visitors are now admitted for a fixed period up to the length of their program, capped at four years, instead of 'duration of status'. Extensions are requested from USCIS. The F-1 post-completion departure period is now 30 days, down from 60.

Other student rules stay the same:

• SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 for F and M students, paid before the interview.
• F and M visas can be issued up to 365 days before the course start date.
• F, M and J applicants must set social media accounts to public.
• F-1 students may be eligible for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training after completing course requirements.

Did US visa fees change for Indians in 2026?

The fee itself did not. B, F, J and M visas still cost $185, and H and L visas $205. What changed is the rupee conversion: the U.S. Embassy set the consular exchange rate at INR 98 per USD from 25 May 2026, up from INR 96.

The new optional $750 fee buys an interview within ten business days for B1/B2 applicants, paid on top of the $185 fee, from 1 July to 31 December 2026. It runs only at limited posts listed on travel.state.gov, and whether any Indian post participates was not verified. It does not speed up processing or guarantee a visa.

What has not changed for Indian travellers?

• India is still not in the Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA is not an option and every trip needs a visa.
• There is still no eVisa: the visa is placed in your passport after biometrics and an interview, or an interview waiver if eligible.
• Processing after the interview is still typically 7-10 working days.
• Indian passport holders remain ineligible for H-2A and H-2B visas, and Indian citizens are still not included in the Diversity Visa lottery.

Where should you check for the next update?

Use primary sources: the Federal Register for proclamations and rules, the U.S. Embassy's India visa page for local fee and payment notices, and ustraveldocs.com for appointment rules. Interview wait times, reciprocity schedules and India-specific refusal statistics are published on travel.state.gov, which could not be read when these facts were checked, so verify those details there before you rely on them.

If a rule change shifts your travel dates, a verifiable flight reservation is safer than a paid ticket until the visa is issued. Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files. Packages run from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for a reservation, hotel booking, itinerary and cover letter. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the US visa interview waiver still available for Indians in 2026?

Yes, for eligible B-1/B-2 renewals. Your previous B visa must be valid or expired within the past 12 months, you must have been at least 18 when it was issued, and all 10 fingerprints must have been taken. The officer can still call you for an interview.

Do Indian students have to make their social media public for a US visa?

Yes. F, M and J applicants, along with H-1B and H-4 and several other categories, must set all social media accounts to public.

Can Indians apply for H-2B seasonal work visas?

No. Indian and Bhutanese passport holders are not eligible for H-2A seasonal agricultural or H-2B temporary non-agricultural worker visas.

Can Indian citizens enter the US green card lottery?

No. Indian citizens are not included in the Diversity Visa lottery.