Will The Recent Changes In US H-1B Visa Affect Indian Tourists? What You Need To Know

Recently, there have been many headlines about new changes in the U.S. H-1B visa policy. Some of those changes are relevant to Indians planning visits to the United States, but not all of them. You may be wondering, do these changes in H-1B rules affect regular tourists? Understanding what the H-1B visa is and how it differs from a tourist visa is crucial. While the recent changes to H-1B policy are significant and may affect many professionals, they do not impact Indian travellers using tourist or visitor visas. If your trip to the U.S. is for a holiday, meeting family, short business engagements like conferences, or medical care, you are governed by the B-1/B-2 visa rules, which are different from H-1B but have also seen some changes recently. Find out more below:

What Is An H-1B Visa?

• The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant U.S. visa category for specialty occupations. These are jobs requiring highly specialised knowledge, usually needing at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• It is employer-sponsored. That means a U.S. employer petitions for a foreign worker. The employer must show they need a qualified worker, and that they will pay wages comparable to what U.S. workers with similar skills receive.
• The visa is meant for work. Holders of H-1B are allowed to live in the U.S. for the duration of their employment (subject to visa validity). The visa can also allow dependents (spouse, children) to accompany the holder.
• It has limits like a cap (a maximum number per year), and often involves a lottery or prioritisation if demand exceeds supply. There is also an electronic registration process for many applicants.

Also Read: This Man's US Tourist Visa Rejection Went Viral, Sparking Debate On Relatives In America

What Is The U.S. Tourist/Visitor Visa (B-1/B-2)?

• The B-1/B-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa for temporary travel, for business (B-1), tourism, visiting family or friends, or medical treatment (B-2).
• It does not allow employment. You cannot work in the U.S. with a B-1 or B-2 visa. Even business activities under B-1 are limited (meetings, conferences, etc.), but not salaried work or full-time employment.
• For Indian citizens, B-1/B-2 visas are often issued for up to 10 years and allow multiple entries.
• The duration of each stay is usually up to six months, but this is decided by Border Control upon entry, not fixed by the visa alone. Extensions are sometimes possible under certain conditions.

Recent Change In H-1B Policy

As of September 21, 2025, the USA has implemented a significant change to the H-1B visa program. A new one-time fee of $100,000 has been announced for new H-1B visa applications. This is a significant increase from the previous amount. Importantly, existing H-1B holders and those renewing are not affected by this fee. These changes are relevant to those seeking to work long-term in the USA.

Why Tourists Need Not Worry About Recent Changes In H-1B Policy

• The recently announced changes in the H-1B visa scheme do not affect B-1/B-2 tourist visas. If your travel is for tourism, visiting, medical treatment or short business (meetings, conferences), the tourist/visitor visa rules remain the same as of now.
• None of the new fees or eligibility changes for H-1B apply to people who are travelling under a visitor visa.
• Indian travellers who wish to apply for or renew a B-1/B-2 visa can continue following the existing process.

Also Read: 14 Bizarre Visa Questions That Travellers Have Actually Faced Globally

Recent US Tourist Visa Policy Changes That Indian Tourists Should Be Aware Of:

1. Mandatory In-Person Interviews for Most Applicants

Effective September 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of State has reinstated the requirement for most non-immigrant visa applicants, including B1/B2, to attend in-person interviews at U.S. embassies or consulates. This policy marks a departure from previous provisions that allowed many individuals, especially those under 14 and over 79, to be exempt from interview requirements. The updated rules aim to enhance security and verify applicant information more thoroughly. Applicants should anticipate longer wait times for appointments and plan accordingly.

2. Introduction of the Visa Integrity Fee

Starting in fiscal year 2026, a new "Visa Integrity Fee" of $250 will be applied to several non-immigrant visa categories, including B1/B2. This fee is non-waivable and non-refundable, even if the visa application is denied. The fee aims to enhance visa compliance and reduce overstays. As a result, the total cost for a B1/B2 visa could increase significantly. Applicants should factor this additional cost into their travel budgets.

3. Elimination of Third-Country Visa Stamping

As of September 6, 2025, the U.S. has ended the practice of "third-country visa stamping." Previously, applicants could attend visa interviews in countries other than their own to avoid long wait times. Under the new policy, all visa interviews must be conducted in the applicant's home country or country of legal residence. This change may lead to increased wait times and processing complexity for visa applicants, particularly those from countries with high demand.

4. Enhanced Scrutiny of Digital Activity

In 2025, the U.S. has begun incorporating digital activity into the background check process for visa applicants. This includes reviewing social media profiles and online presence. Applicants are advised to ensure that their online activities align with the visa application and do not raise concerns during the vetting process. It's essential to be mindful of your digital footprint and its potential impact on your visa application.

5. Updated Passport Collection Procedures

Effective August 1, 2025, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India have discontinued the option for third-party passport collection. Applicants are now required to collect their passports and visa documents in person. For applicants under 18, a parent or legal guardian may collect the passport on their behalf, provided they present an original consent letter signed by both parents; scanned or emailed copies are not accepted. For those unable to collect their passports in person, a home or office delivery service is available for a fee of Rs 1,200. Applicants can update their delivery preferences online. It's important to note that this delivery service is optional, and applicants must ensure they have selected their preferred method of passport collection during the application process.

6. Longer Processing Times Due to Increased Vetting

The tightening of visa policies has led to more comprehensive vetting procedures, resulting in longer processing times for visa applications. Applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of their intended travel dates and to ensure all documentation is complete and accurate to avoid delays. It's advisable to check the current processing times on the official U.S. embassy website and plan accordingly.

Click here for more details about the recent US visa policy changes that tourists need to know about.