The U.S. State Department has begun postponing H-1B visa interviews in India scheduled for mid to late December, citing operational constraints tied to expanded social media screening requirements. According to multiple immigration attorneys and emails reviewed by Bloomberg Law, some interviews are being pushed back as far as summer 2026, leaving many foreign workers unable to return to the United States for months.
Earlier this month, the State Department announced it would expand social media screening to H-1B visa applicants and their dependents applying for H-4 visas. This policy builds on similar screening measures applied to F-1 student visa applicants earlier in the year, which led to a temporary freeze in student visa processing. Beginning December 15, H-1B and H-4 applicants are required to make their social media profiles publicly accessible as part of the review process.
Consular guidance instructs officers to scrutinize applicants’ online presence for potential national security or public safety concerns, including work involving “censorship” of free speech. Officers are also encouraged to review resumes and professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn. While biometric appointments will proceed as scheduled, interview slots are being reduced due to what consulates describe as processing limitations.
Applicants with interviews scheduled on or after December 15 have already begun receiving rescheduling notices from U.S. consulates in India. The U.S. Embassy has warned that appearing at a previously scheduled interview time will result in denial of entry to the consulate. The State Department has not clarified how many appointments will be affected and has not publicly responded to requests for comment.
These delays arrive during one of the busiest visa processing periods of the year, when many H-1B workers traditionally travel to India during the holiday season to renew visa stamps. The impact is compounded by a policy change announced in September that restricts most temporary visa holders to interviews in their country of nationality or residence, eliminating the option to seek appointments in third countries. As a result, affected workers have limited alternatives if their interviews are postponed.
The interview delays reflect a broader trend of heightened scrutiny of the H-1B program. In recent months, the administration has introduced a $100,000 fee for certain new H-1B workers entering from abroad, proposed changes to the annual H-1B lottery system, and increased enforcement actions targeting employer compliance. Together, these measures add layers of uncertainty for both employers and foreign national employees.
Immigration attorneys warn that the sudden rescheduling of interviews disrupts travel plans that were often made months in advance. Many workers have already booked international travel, taken leave from U.S. jobs, and arranged housing or family obligations based on confirmed interview dates. With no clear timeline for rescheduling, thousands of individuals may find themselves stranded abroad.
For employers and foreign nationals alike, the situation underscores the growing importance of strategic visa planning, risk assessment before international travel, and close coordination with immigration counsel. As processing policies continue to shift with little advance notice, proactive guidance can help mitigate disruptions and set realistic expectations in an increasingly complex H-1B landscape.