In a sudden and unprecedented move, the United States has cancelled hundreds of H-1B visa interviews across India, leaving applicants scrambling to reschedule their long-planned appointments. The disruption comes as the US State Department rolls out a new mandatory social media screening system for all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants starting December 15, 2025.
The policy requires applicants to make their social media accounts public and submit every username used in the last five years — even old or inactive ones. As consulates prepare to implement the new rules, interview slots have been abruptly wiped from the system, causing widespread confusion and frustration.
Sudden Cancellations Hit Applicants During Peak Travel Season
Applicants from cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, New Delhi, and Mumbai received unexpected emails notifying them that their interviews — some scheduled months ago — had been cancelled.
What adds to the chaos: ASC biometrics appointments remain intact, while interview dates alone have been wiped out.
For many Indian tech workers — who form the largest share of H-1B visa holders — the timing is disastrous. December is a peak travel period for employees visiting family or returning to the US after vacation.
Social Media Now Mandatory for H-1B and H-4 Visas
The new rule requires disclosure of usernames across platforms such as:
Twitter (X)
YouTube
And any other online handle used in the past 5 years
The State Department defended the policy, saying:
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. A visa is a privilege, not a right.”
Visa officers will now review applicants’ digital footprints as part of national-security background checks — a move viewed by experts as the biggest shift in visa vetting in years.
Lawyers, Experts Slam Rollout: “Deeply Disruptive”
US immigration lawyer James Hollis criticised the sudden changes, writing:
“I’m shaking my head at the reports of H-1B appointment cancellations in India.
The new policy requires implementation time, forcing consulates to reduce available interview slots.”
AI consultant Anshuman Jha warned that the policy will disproportionately hurt Indian professionals:
“It’s a major shift for global talent mobility. Indians, being the largest H-1B group, will feel the impact first.”
Attorney Pamela Rangel called the move a “new layer of complexity” to an already unpredictable H-1B process.
New US Policies Tighten Rules Further
The social media vetting is not the only change. Starting December 5, 2025, the US will also:
Reduce Employment Authorization Document (EAD) validity
→ From 5 years to 18 months for several categories, including refugees and green-card applicants
Immigration advocates warn this will cause more paperwork, higher costs, and longer wait times at already overloaded USCIS centers.
More Delays Expected at Indian Consulates
Consular sections in major cities are expected to witness:
●Reduced visa appointments
●Longer processing times
●Backlogs extending into early 2026
Applicants have been advised to compile their social media histories, ensure accounts are public, and remain transparent to avoid administrative processing delays.
