Post by : Meena Ariff

The US State Department’s new social media vetting policy has caused major disruptions for H-1B visa applicants in India, with many interview appointments now postponed to next year. The US Embassy in India issued an advisory to affected applicants.

Applicants who have received notifications about rescheduled appointments are advised to attend their new dates, as arriving on previously scheduled dates will result in denied entry."Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate," the advisory warned.

Interviews originally set for mid to late December are reportedly being pushed to March 2026, though the total number of rescheduled appointments remains unclear.

The US government has expanded social media screening for H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents. Applicants are now instructed to set their social media profiles to "public" for review. Screening began on December 15, with officials examining online activity to identify individuals who may be inadmissible or pose security risks.

"Every visa adjudication is a national security decision," the State Department emphasized. Students and exchange visitors were already subject to similar online scrutiny.

This social media check represents the latest layer of scrutiny for the H-1B program, a key pathway for skilled foreign workers. The program has faced increased pressure, including a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas announced earlier, which could significantly impact Indian workers seeking temporary employment in the US.

Additionally, the US paused Green Card, citizenship, and other immigration applications from 19 “countries of concern” following security incidents involving an Afghan national.

An attorney from a leading business immigration law firm noted that several appointments in the coming weeks have been canceled and rescheduled for March to allow for the social media vetting.

These new measures have left H-1B applicants in India facing uncertainty and longer waits as the US continues to tighten immigration security procedures.

#Global News