U.S. Consulates Cancel H-1B and H-4 Visa Appointments as New Social Media Review Begins

U.S. consulates abroad have begun canceling H-1B and H-4 visa appointments scheduled for December 15 or later as they prepare to roll out a new State Department requirement reviewing each applicant’s online presence, including social media activity.

Applicants in India, where the majority of H-1B visa holders travel home for year-end visits, are reporting widespread cancellations. Some say they have received new appointment dates in March 2026. These reports come from email notifications issued directly by consular posts and from immigration attorneys who have shared updates from affected clients.

Why appointments are being canceled

The State Department plans to begin reviewing the online presence of all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants starting December 15. Consulates say they must reduce the number of interviews conducted each day to allow time for this new vetting step.

As a result:

• Biometrics appointments are still taking place.
• But after biometrics, applicants are being told their visa interviews will be rescheduled, often by several months.
• Some posts have already shifted December interviews to late winter or early spring 2026.

Immigration attorney James Hollis publicly confirmed the cancellations on LinkedIn, noting that applicants in India with appointments on or after December 15 are receiving instructions to reschedule. Hollis wrote that consular posts “have had to reduce their available appointments to accommodate the change.”

What the new review includes

Starting December 15, 2025, H-1B and H-4 applicants will be required to keep their social media accounts set to public so consular officers can conduct the review. The vetting includes:

• Social media accounts and activity
• Other online content tied to the applicant
• Information that appears in public databases

The State Department first introduced this policy for F, M, and J student visa applicants in June 2025. 

What this means for travelers

The immediate effects are already being felt:

• Reduced interview capacity across several posts
• Longer appointment wait times for H-1B and H-4 applicants
• Interviews are now being pushed into 2026, even for applicants who booked months in advance. According to recent reports, some December 15 appointments have been moved to March, December 16 and 17 appointments have been moved to April, and December 18 appointments have been moved to May.
• Higher risk of administrative processing, which can delay visa issuance after the interview

While most reports are coming from India, that’s largely because the country processes the highest volume of H-1B and H-4 cases. Attorneys stress that this should not be viewed as an India-only issue. As the new vetting policy rolls out, other consular posts could make similar adjustments, especially during the holiday travel period. The guidance in this article applies to applicants at any post with an appointment on or after December 15.

Guidance for Foreign nationals planning holiday travel 

Many foreign nationals travel home in December to renew their visas. This year, plans may need to change quickly.

1. Expect your interview to be canceled or rescheduled

If your appointment is on or after December 15, watch your email closely. Consulates are sending cancelation notices with links to reschedule, often pushing interviews to March 2026 or later.

“Anyone with an H-1B or H-4 visa appointment scheduled on or after December 15 should be prepared for significant delays,” said Tu Castillo, an immigration attorney at Boundless. “If you’re planning holiday travel, it’s important to understand that you may not be able to return to the United States on your original timeline.”

2. Reconsider international travel if you don’t already have a valid visa stamp

If you must apply for a new visa while abroad, you may not be able to return to the U.S. for several months if:

• There are no open appointments
• Your interview is moved to 2026
• Your case is sent for additional background checks

“Our guidance is simple: if you don’t already have a valid visa in your passport, reconsider non-essential travel right now,” said Castillo. “With interviews being pushed into 2026, workers need to coordinate closely with their employers before leaving the country.”

3. If you already have a valid visa, your risk is lower, but delays are still possible

Travelers with an unexpired H-1B or H-4 visa generally do not need a new appointment. Still, allow extra time when returning to the U.S. and carry all employment documentation (H-1B approval notice, employment letter, pay stubs).

4. Prepare your social media now

Because accounts must be set to public:

• Remove old, inactive, or duplicate accounts you no longer use
• Ensure your public information is accurate and consistent
• Applicants should avoid any account deletions or major modifications from the time they have scheduled their appointment, if not earlier.

5. Notify your employer immediately if your appointment is canceled

Your employer may need to help with documentation, return-to-work planning, or contingency arrangements if you’re stuck abroad.

6. Avoid travel if you have any prior arrest or unresolved immigration issue

Even issues from years ago can trigger extended administrative processing under the new vetting system.

7. Have a backup plan in case you cannot return on schedule

Consider remote work options, childcare arrangements, and budget impacts if your return is delayed for weeks, or months.

What happens next

Consulates will likely continue adjusting operations as the new policy rolls out. Appointment availability for H-1B, H-4, and possibly other visa types is expected to fluctuate through early 2026. Boundless is monitoring the situation closely and will update this story as new information becomes available.

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