US consulates abroad are canceling and rescheduling H-1B and H-4 visa appointments scheduled for December 15 or later due to a new State Department requirement reviewing applicants’ online presence. The review includes social media activity, online content, and information from public databases.
Applicants in India, where the majority of H-1B visa holders travel home for year-end visits, are reporting widespread cancellations. Some have received new appointment dates in March 2026. Consulates are reducing interviews to accommodate the new vetting step.
The review starts December 15, 2025, and requires applicants’ social media accounts to be set to public. The State Department first introduced this policy for F, M, and J student visa applicants in June 2025.
This means travelers may experience:
– Reduced interview capacity
– Longer appointment wait times
– Interviews pushed into 2026
– Higher risk of administrative processing
Foreign nationals planning holiday travel should expect their interviews to be canceled or rescheduled. If you don’t already have a valid visa stamp, reconsider international travel. Travelers with an unexpired H-1B or H-4 visa can still return to the US, but allow extra time and carry employment documentation.
Consulates will continue adjusting operations as the new policy rolls out. Appointment availability is expected to fluctuate through early 2026.
Source: https://www.boundless.com/blog/h1b-h4-visa-appointments-cancelled-social-media-review