The processing of H-1B visas for thousands of Indian applicants has hit a major roadblock after the United States introduced stricter social media screening requirements. A wave of interview appointments has now been pushed into 2026, creating uncertainty for professionals and families planning to relocate for work. On Tuesday night, the US Embassy in India issued a fresh advisory informing applicants that their previously confirmed appointment dates may no longer stand. The embassy said that anyone who has received a reschedule notification must appear only on the new date assigned to them.
“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 advisory stated. The embassy also cautioned that applicants will not be allowed to enter the consulate if they show up on their earlier appointment date despite receiving a reschedule alert. “Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate,” it said.
According to a media report, several interviews slated for mid to late December have now been postponed to March next year, though the exact number of affected applicants is unclear. Immigration attorney Steven Brown from a prominent US firm confirmed that Mission India has cancelled “a significant number” of upcoming appointments and shifted them to March to make room for the new vetting procedures.
New Social Media Rules Now Mandatory
Beginning December 15, the US State Department is requiring H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependents to set all social media accounts to public visibility. Officials will examine applicants’ online activity as part of an expanded vetting programme aimed at identifying individuals who may be inadmissible or pose national security risks.
This level of scrutiny had previously been applied to students and exchange visitors, but the latest update brings employment-based visa applicants squarely under the same framework. “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the State Department said, underscoring the rationale behind the new policy.
Part of Wider Crackdown on Skilled Worker Immigration
The new screening measures come at a time when the H-1B programme—considered the most critical pathway for skilled foreign workers in the US—has been facing tightening restrictions. In September, the Trump administration introduced a one-time $100,000 fee on all new H-1B work visas, a move widely expected to raise costs for both applicants and employers, particularly Indian IT and consulting companies. The administration has framed the fee as necessary for national security, though critics have labelled it a deterrent to global talent.
More recently, the US paused the processing of Green Card, citizenship, and other immigration applications from individuals originating from 19 “countries of concern” following an incident in which a National Guard member was killed by an Afghan national. Though the suspension does not directly target Indian applicants, it signals a broader tightening of immigration policies across categories.
Impact on Indian Professionals
India is the single largest source of H-1B talent for the US, and visa appointment delays can significantly disrupt project timelines, job transitions, and family planning for thousands of skilled workers. With interviews now deferred by months, many applicants are left scrambling to reorganise travel plans and employer commitments.
Recruitment specialists say the backlog may grow in the coming weeks as US authorities prioritise the rollout of social media vetting. For companies with high dependence on Indian talent, the delays could add pressure to already strained onboarding schedules.
For now, the Embassy’s message remains clear: applicants must rely solely on the new dates issued to them and should not attempt to walk in on previously scheduled appointments. As the new screening regime takes full effect, applicants are preparing for longer wait times and heightened scrutiny in the months ahead.
