In a major advisory affecting thousands of Indian visa applicants, the US Embassy in India has cautioned that anyone arriving for interviews on previously scheduled dates—after receiving a rescheduling email—will be denied entry at consulates.
The warning comes as US missions across India face turmoil due to newly implemented social media vetting rules for H-1B and H-4 visa categories.
Embassy Issues Urgent Advisory Amid Widespread Disruptions
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the embassy posted a clear message:
“If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled… arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in being denied admittance.”
Thousands of applicants from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi have reported sudden cancellations of visa interview appointments scheduled on or after December 15, causing confusion at an already packed time of year.
New Social Media Screening Behind Mass Cancellations
The turbulence stems from America’s expanded online presence review, which mandates deeper scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity. Under the new rules:
●All H-1B workers and H-4 dependents must disclose social media usernames used over the last five years.
●Platforms include Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube and others.
●Applicants must ensure their profiles are publicly viewable for verification.
These extra checks have forced officers to spend more time per case, sharply reducing interview capacity and triggering widescale rescheduling of appointments.
Holiday Plans Shattered for Thousands
The timing—right before the holiday travel rush—has added to applicant frustration.
US immigration attorney James Hollis criticised the move, saying:
“I’m shaking my head about the reports… The reasoning is that the new social media vetting policy requires more implementation and review time.”
Many Indian tech professionals had carefully timed their travel to renew visas before returning to the US. Now, they must wait for new slots to open on the official visa scheduling portal.
US State Department Defends Tightened Vetting
Despite criticism, US officials maintain that the enhanced checks are non-negotiable. A State Department spokesperson reiterated:
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision and a privilege, not a right.”
The department argues that the new protocols will help prevent entry of individuals associated with online extremism, misinformation operations, or cyber threats.
Strain Visible Across All Indian Consulates
The rollout has significantly slowed processing in:
New Delhi
Mumbai
Hyderabad
Chennai
Kolkata
These locations handle one of the world’s largest volumes of H-1B and H-4 applicants.
Officials say delays may continue into early 2026 while missions adapt to the extra screening steps. Applicants have been told to avoid walking into consulates without newly assigned dates.
