H-1B Visa Appointments Postponed for Indian Applicants Amid New US Social Media Screening Rules

US Embassy Reschedules H-1B Visa Interviews to 2026

The US Embassy in India has postponed numerous H-1B visa appointments for Indian applicants following the implementation of new social media screening requirements by the US State Department. Many interviews originally scheduled for mid to late December have been rescheduled to March next year.

The Embassy issued an advisory Tuesday night addressing the widespread disruptions caused by the policy change.

Applicants Warned Against Arriving on Original Appointment Dates

“If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date,” the US Embassy stated.

ATTENTION VISA APPLICANTS – If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied…
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 9, 2025

The Embassy issued a stern warning to visa applicants who might attempt to attend their original appointments.

“Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate,” officials said.

Any visa applicant who arrives at the consulate on a previously scheduled interview date after receiving a reschedule notification will be refused entry.

Social Media Vetting Policy Behind Delays

The postponements stem from expanded screening measures that require H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents to maintain public privacy settings on all social media profiles. Officials will review applicants’ online presence starting December 15.

The vetting process aims to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible or pose threats to national security or public safety. Students and exchange visitors were already subject to similar scrutiny.

“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the State Department said.

Steven Brown, an attorney from a leading business immigration law firm, confirmed the situation. “Mission India confirms what we have been hearing. They have cancelled a number of appointments in the coming weeks and rescheduled them for March to allow for the social media vetting,” Brown said.

Mission India confirms what we have been hearing. They have cancelled a number of appointments in the coming weeks and rescheduled them for March to allow for the social media vetting. https://t.co/gjsIDxmPOX
— Steven Brown (@AttyStevenBrown) December 9, 2025

H-1B Program Faces Mounting Scrutiny

The social media screening represents the latest pressure on the H-1B program, which serves as the primary immigration pathway for skilled foreign workers entering the United States.

Recent H-1B Policy Changes

The Trump administration has implemented several measures affecting the H-1B visa program:

In September, President Donald Trump imposed a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B work visas
The fee could significantly impact Indian workers seeking temporary US employment
The US paused Green Card, citizenship, and other immigration applications for people from 19 “countries of concern”
The pause followed a shooting incident involving National Guard soldiers by an Afghan national

Impact on Indian Visa Applicants

While the exact number of rescheduled appointments remains unknown, Bloomberg reported that interviews scheduled for mid to late December are being pushed to March next year.

The postponements affect both primary H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependent family members who must comply with the new social media vetting requirements.

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