Visa applicants seeking entry to the United States under the H1B and H4 categories will now face an additional layer of scrutiny as the country begins reviewing their online presence starting December 15. A spokesperson from the U.S. Embassy confirmed the change and said the move is aimed at strengthening national security checks.
The spokesperson said the authorities will take the time needed to ensure each applicant does not pose a threat and that they meet all eligibility conditions for the visa sought. This includes confirming that the applicant intends to follow the terms of their admission. The spokesperson also noted that appointment schedules may shift based on resource availability and that affected individuals will be informed directly.
The update comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump introduced a 100000 dollars annual fee for fresh H1B applications in September, a decision that caused concern among the large Indian workforce employed in the American technology sector.
The new social media vetting rule is expected to further slow processing times for new applicants. Many visa seekers have already received notices postponing their interviews. Some appointments originally set for next week have been pushed as far as May next year. For instance, interviews earlier set for December 15 have shifted to dates in March, while those scheduled for December 19 have moved to late May.
Officials are also delaying interviews for several other visa categories. However, the exact number of applicants affected by the rescheduling remains unclear.
The U.S. Embassy has advised applicants not to visit consular offices based on their previous appointment dates. It said, “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.” It also warned that arriving on an old appointment date would result in denial of entry to the Embassy or Consulate.
Some applicants have anonymously shared their experiences online. One applicant said, “My H-1B consular appointment in Chennai, originally on December 18, got cancelled right after I completed the biometrics process on Tuesday, and was auto rescheduled to April 30, 2026.”
The H1B visa programme allows companies in the United States to hire foreign professionals with specialised skills for an initial period of 3 years, extendable by another 3 years. Indians have accounted for 71 percent of approved H1B applications in recent years, according to data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
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