As per reports, the US Embassy in India has cancelled approximately 2,000 visa appointments following the discovery of widespread fraudulent activities in its appointment scheduling system. The embassy announced on Wednesday that Consular Team India identified “bad actors” who had exploited the system using bots to secure these slots, violating official scheduling policies. Effective immediately, the embassy has terminated these appointments and suspended the scheduling privileges of the associated accounts.

This development follows an internal investigation conducted by the embassy between May and August of last year, which uncovered a network of 30 agents involved in deceptive practices. These agents, linked to multiple IP addresses, were found to have submitted forged documents to secure visas for applicants. The investigation identified connections to visa consultants, document vendors, passport delivery services, and education consultants.
The crackdown has also prompted action from Indian authorities. On February 27, Delhi Police registered a case against several visa and passport agents after the US Embassy flagged the fraud.
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The cancellation of these appointments comes amid heightened scrutiny of immigration processes under the Trump administration, which assumed office two months ago. Since January, President Donald Trump has prioritized tightening US border security, a key pledge of his campaign. This has resulted in the deportation of thousands of individuals who entered the country through illegal means, including the notorious ‘donkey’ route—a term used to describe irregular migration paths often facilitated by agents promising entry into the US.
The US Embassy’s zero-tolerance policy reflects a broader effort to maintain the integrity of its consular services. The move has disrupted the plans of many applicants, though the embassy has not yet detailed how affected individuals can reschedule.
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For years, the US visa application process in India has been a target for intermediaries promising to expedite appointments or guarantee approvals, often at exorbitant fees. As investigations continue, authorities on both sides are expected to intensify their collaboration to root out fraudulent networks, ensuring that only legitimate applicants gain access to US visas.