U.S. Visa Rescheduling Hits H‐1B Applicants as New Vetting Rules Take Effect

U.S. consulates have started rescheduling numerous H‐1B and H‐4 visa interviews, causing notable delays in the visa processing system. This decision particularly impacts applicants in India, which remains the largest source of H‐1B visa holders globally. The changes began in the second week of December, affecting interviews scheduled between December 15 and December 26, 2023.

The rescheduling coincides with the introduction of new “online presence review” requirements set to take effect on December 15. In response to these updated procedures, U.S. consulates in India canceled existing appointments and issued new dates that extend well into the future.

New Social Media Vetting Policies

The U.S. Department of State is now directing all H‐1B and H‐4 visa applicants, along with those in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant categories, to modify their social media privacy settings to “public.” The Department stated that this information is utilized to screen visa applicants and identify individuals who might pose national security or public safety concerns.

The online presence review now applies to all H‐1B professionals and their dependents, as well as students and exchange visitors who were previously subject to similar scrutiny. On December 9, the U.S. Embassy in India informed applicants not to attend their scheduled interviews if they received a rescheduling notice. The Embassy emphasized that those attempting to attend based on their original appointment would be denied entry, even if they traveled to another city for the interview.

The implementation of increased vetting measures has extended the required processing time for each applicant, leading to a reduction in the number of interviews conducted daily. Reports indicate that appointments previously secured well in advance are now being rescheduled to dates ranging from March to June 2026, with some applicants receiving new appointments scheduled for October 2026.

Impact on Applicants and Emergency Appointments

As of December 17, some applicants have reported limited success in acquiring emergency appointments. Certain H‐1B applicants with children have been granted expedited appointments after explaining that their child would miss school due to the rescheduling. Others have sought medical exceptions to expedite their visa processing.

The expanded review requirements are expected to continue affecting visa processing timelines in the coming months. As applicants navigate these new regulations, the impact on personal and professional plans remains significant, underscoring the complex nature of immigration processes.