What to do with house and car in US while stuck in India waiting for H-1B approval? Redditor's viral question

As hundreds of Indians are stuck in India over the H-1B stamping delays, a Redditor's question on what to do with a house and car in the US while there is no certainty when one can return to the US has gone viral. The unprecedented situation arose as the US consulates in India deferred the H-1B interviews scheduled in December by at least six months. The cancelations of the interview dates were random and the State Department's new social media vetting was cited as the reason to reduce workload on consulates. January appointments have also been canceled and pushed to November-December 2026.

But those who already traveled to India to attend their consulate interviews in December have been in jeopardy as they now can't come back to the US without a valid visa stamping; especially those who do not have any other valid visa to enter the US. Companies are also consulting their attorneys to decide whether these H-1B visa holders should be allowed to work from home. If not, they will lose jobs.

What to do with house and car

A Reddit user started a conversation on what H-1B visa holders with a home and car in the US are doing if they are stuck in India. The question opened a complex discussion on why H-1Bs buy houses in the US when they are in the country on a work visa. Some users explained that they have been in the US on H-1B for around 10 years and renting for 10 years is not sustainable. And getting a Green Card also takes around 10 years for Indians, they said.

Employees allowed to work from home will not face any problem paying the monthly mortgage for their homes or cars but other options discussed in the viral thread were putting the house either on rent or sale; or registering a power of attorney with a trustworthy friend or family member who can sell all the assets on their behalf.

The Indian government said it has taken up the H-1B visa delay issue with the US as Indians are facing a lot of difficulties due to appointment backlogs. “These issues have been flagged with the US authorities both in New Delhi and in Washington DC," India's external affairs ministry said.