US Social Media Rules Delay H-1B Visa Interviews for Thousands of Indians; Embassy Issues Strict Warning

H-1B visa applicants across India are facing significant delays after the US State Department’s new social media vetting policy forced widespread rescheduling of interviews. Many appointments originally set for mid to late December have now been pushed to March 2026, creating uncertainty for skilled professionals planning travel to the United States.

Embassy Confirms Rescheduling, Warns Applicants

The US Embassy in India issued an advisory late Tuesday, informing applicants that only those with new appointment dates will be allowed entry.

“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 embassy said.

Applicants have also been cautioned not to arrive on their old dates, even if their original appointment appears valid.

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

The exact number of rescheduled interviews has not been disclosed, but Bloomberg reported that nearly all appointments in the second half of December are affected.

Why Are Appointments Being Delayed?

Attorney Steven Brown, from a leading US immigration firm, confirmed:

“They have cancelled a number of appointments in the coming weeks and rescheduled them for March to allow for the social media vetting.”

The new rules come into effect December 15, requiring:

H-1B applicants

H-4 dependents

to keep all social media accounts set to “public”, allowing officials to review posts, interactions, and online activity.

This expanded digital screening aims to identify individuals who may pose security or public safety risks. Students and exchange visitors were already undergoing similar checks.

Broader Crackdown on H-1B Program

The new screening rules follow a series of recent moves by the US administration:

In September, President Donald Trump imposed a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B work visas.

The US also paused Green Card, citizenship, and other immigration applications for individuals from 19 “countries of concern” after a security incident involving an Afghan national.

The H-1B visa program, a primary pathway for skilled foreign workers—especially Indians—continues to face growing scrutiny under the current administration.

Impact on Applicants

The sudden delays are expected to affect:

Indian tech professionals

Employees awaiting relocation

Those with job start dates in early 2026

Families applying together under H-4

Many applicants now face uncertainty over employment timelines, travel plans, and joining dates.