U.S. Consulates Cancel H-1B/H-4 Visa Appointments as New Online Presence Review Takes Effect
Key Takeaways
- Many H-1B/H-4 visa interviews scheduled for December 15 or later are being cancelled and pushed to early 2026 as consulates begin reviewing applicants’ public online activity.
- Expect longer wait times and possible background check delays, since consulates will process fewer interviews per day under the new policy.
- Plan international travel cautiously if you’ll need a new visa stamp, since interview cancellations and longer processing times could affect your ability to return to the U.S. on schedule.
What’s Happening?
U.S. consulates worldwide have begun cancelling and rescheduling many H-1B and H-4 visa interviews that were originally set for December 15 or later. This shift is tied to a new requirement that consular officers review each applicant’s public online presence (including social media activity) before issuing a visa.
Many applicants are receiving new appointment dates in March 2026, creating several months of delay.
Why Appointments Are Being Rescheduled
Starting December 15, consular officers must review publicly available online information for each H-1B and H-4 applicant, including:
- Social media profiles
- Online databases
- Other public web content
Because this review adds time to each case, consulates expect to process fewer interviews per day. To adjust, they are cancelling upcoming appointments and moving them to later dates.
A few important notes:
- Biometrics appointments (fingerprinting) are still taking place as scheduled.
- Only the visa interview itself is being postponed, often by several months.
Early reports are concentrated at U.S. consulates in India, but similar impact is expected at other U.S. consulates in other countries that handle large volumes of H-1B and H-4 applications.
Where This Policy Came From
Earlier this year, the State Department began a similar online review process for F, M, and J student visa applicants. H-1B workers and H-4 dependents are the first new visa categories to also become also subject to the program.
For the review, applicants will need to set their social media privacy settings to public while their visa is being processed.
What This Means for Applicants
1. Expect Appointment Cancellations
If your H-1B or H-4 interview is scheduled on or after December 15, there’s a good chance it may be cancelled and moved to a later date. Consulates often update schedules with limited notice, so check your appointment portal frequently.
2. Longer Waits for All Visa Types
Consulates will likely reduce the number of interview slots each day to accommodate the additional time needed for social screening. As a result, wait times will likely increase for H-visas and potentially other categories that share the same appointment system.
3. More Cases May Go into Background Checks
The added vetting process may lead to longer processing times for some applicants, even after the interview.
4. Travel Plans Could Be Disrupted
Anyone traveling abroad who will need a new visa stamp (or might need one in the near future) should review their travel plans and factor in the likelihood of delays.
Because interviews are being postponed, applicants who travel abroad who require a new visa stamp may not be able to get an appointment in time to reenter the U.S. according to a previously determined schedule. Limited appointment availability and possible administrative processing could extend delays even further.
How Employers Can Prepare
To help employees navigate these changes and reduce disruption, employers may want to take the following steps:
- Communicate early and frequently with sponsored employees who anticipate travel or upcoming visa appointments.
- Review international travel plans for employees who may be at risk of appointment cancellation or long return delays.
- Prepare contingency plans for remote work or delayed start dates when employees may be stuck abroad.
As the new review process rolls out, appointment availability and processing times may continue to shift. Ellis will provide updates as we learn more so applicants and employers can stay prepared.