New Vetting Rule Triggers H-1B Delays; Thousands Of Indian Applicants Pushed To March

The United States has postponed H-1B visa interview appointments for several Indian applicants following the rollout of its new social media vetting policy, causing widespread uncertainty and delays. The U.S. Embassy in India issued an advisory on Tuesday night informing applicants that those who received an email about their interview being rescheduled should follow the updated appointment date, as Mission India will assist them accordingly.

The Embassy further clarified that applicants who still show up on their original interview date after receiving a rescheduling notice will not be permitted to enter the Embassy or Consulate. "Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate," the advisory warned.

When will H-1B visa interviews be held?

According to media reports, many interviews that were initially scheduled for mid to late December are now being shifted to March. However, the exact number of applicants affected has not yet been disclosed.

Steven Brown, an attorney from a major business immigration law firm, confirmed the developments, stating, "Mission India confirms what we have been hearing. They have cancelled a number of appointments in the coming weeks and rescheduled them for March to allow for the social media vetting."

Under the updated screening rules, H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependents must ensure that all their social media accounts are publicly visible. Starting December 15, U.S. officials will review online activity to evaluate whether applicants may be inadmissible or pose any threat to U.S. national security or public safety. Students and exchange visitors have already been subject to similar checks.

The State Department underscored that "every visa adjudication is a national security decision," signalling the seriousness of the enhanced vetting process.

The social media review comes amid a series of new restrictions affecting the H-1B programme, which has come under increasing scrutiny from the Trump administration. In September, U.S. President Donald Trump introduced a one-time fee of USD 100000 on new H-1B work visas - a move expected to significantly impact Indian professionals seeking temporary employment in the United States.

Additionally, the U.S. recently paused Green Card, citizenship, and other immigration applications for individuals from 19 "countries of concern" after an Afghan national fired upon National Guard soldiers, prompting heightened security measures.