H-1B and H-4 Visa Interviews Canceled as U.S. Expands Online Screening

The United States Department of State has begun implementing a new vetting policy that is already disrupting visa processing for H-1B workers and their H-4 dependents, with early impacts reported at U.S. consulates in India.

Under the new policy, which takes effect December 15, 2025, H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will be subject to a mandatory online presence review, including scrutiny of publicly available social media accounts and online activity. As part of the process, applicants are required to set all social media privacy settings to “public.”

In the days following the announcement, multiple applicants in India have reported that visa interview appointments scheduled for December 15 or later have been canceled and rescheduled, in many cases to March 2026. While biometric appointments are reportedly proceeding as planned, visa interviews are being postponed, signaling potentially widespread delays.

The expanded vetting requirement builds on existing screening already applied to F, M, and J visa categories, but this marks the first time it has been extended to employment-based H-1B workers and their dependents. According to U.S. officials, the policy is part of heightened scrutiny—particularly in the technology sector—to identify past involvement in activities considered inconsistent with U.S. entry standards, including alleged “censorship” of protected speech.

Although appointment cancellations have so far been reported primarily in India, immigration experts warn that delays could spread globally as consular resources are reallocated to accommodate the additional screening. Longer wait times are expected not only for H-1B and H-4 visas, but potentially across other non-immigrant visa categories as well.

Foreign nationals who do not currently hold valid U.S. visas are being advised to reconsider non-essential international travel, as canceled or delayed appointments could prevent timely reentry into the United States. Applicants with prior criminal histories are also urged to exercise caution, even if such histories were previously disclosed and cleared.

Employers are encouraged to remain in close communication with affected employees and to prepare contingency plans, as further changes may occur with little notice. Immigration attorneys stress that the situation remains fluid and that applicants worldwide should plan for possible disruptions.