An Indian-origin tech professional and his wife, a leading cardiologist in the U.S., are seriously considering relocating to Dubai due to ongoing delays in H-1B visa stamping at U.S. consulates in India, which have prevented them from traveling home for over three years. Despite both holding critical roles in the U.S. and qualifying for expedited green cards, they remain stranded by a visa backlog that has pushed U.S. consular appointments in India to 2027.

The husband, a tech worker with a National Interest Waiver, and his wife, a top-tier hospital cardiologist with extensive research credentials, are unable to leave the U.S. due to the risk of being unable to return. H-1B visa holders require a valid U.S. visa stamp to re-enter the country, a process that can only be completed in their home country. Since December 2025, U.S. consulates in India have faced severe appointment backlogs, with no available slots until 2027.

The couple’s situation, shared anonymously by immigration analyst Sam Peak, highlights growing frustration among skilled Indian workers in the U.S. who are deemed essential but lack permanent status. Many are now weighing relocation to countries like the UAE, which offer stable pathways and fewer travel restrictions. The U.S. State Department has acknowledged consular service delays but has not provided a timeline for resolution.