The recent cancellation of numerous visa appointments in India by the U.S. consulates has sparked outrage among U.S. immigration lawyers, who are calling the situation a "maze of pitfalls" for applicants. The cancellations primarily affect H-1B and H-4 visa applicants and are linked to the implementation of a new mandatory social media screening policy that goes into effect on December 15, 2025.
The U.S. State Department's new policy requires H-1B and H-4 visa applicants to make their social media accounts public and disclose all usernames used in the past five years. This includes platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, and Reddit. Visa officers will review applicants' digital footprints as part of national security background checks.
In anticipation of the policy, U.S. consular posts in India are cancelling and rescheduling visa appointments, many of which are being pushed to March 2026. The U.S. Embassy in India has acknowledged the changes and advised applicants to adhere strictly to their new appointment dates, warning that those who arrive on their previously scheduled dates will be denied entry.
The sudden cancellations have created significant disruption for applicants. Many Indian tech workers, who constitute a large percentage of H-1B visa holders, are facing uncertainty during the peak travel season in December, as they visit family or return to the U.S. after vacation. Some applicants have already completed their biometrics appointments, only to have their interview dates cancelled shortly after.
Immigration attorney Steven Brown described the situation as "all over the place" and noted that the cancellations and rescheduling stem from the need for social media vetting. James Hollis, another U.S. immigration lawyer, criticized the sudden changes, stating that the policy requires implementation time, which forces consulates to reduce available interview slots. Attorney Pamela Rangel called the move a "new layer of complexity" to the already unpredictable H-1B process.
The situation has left many visa applicants in a state of confusion and panic. Some worry about their job prospects and whether their U.S. employers will allow them to remain in India until their rescheduled appointments in 2026. Others who traveled to India specifically for their visa appointments are now stranded, unsure of what to do until March.
The U.S. Embassy in India has provided contact information for applicants with questions or concerns. Applicants can email support-india@usvisascheduling.com or call +91 20 69020000 or +1 332 220 1866 from the U.S.
These sudden changes are not only affecting applicants in India, but also H-1B and H-4 visa holders already in the U.S., who are experiencing an increase in visa revocations. Immigration attorney Emily Neumann noted that revocations are occurring even in cases where past interactions with law enforcement were previously disclosed and cleared.
