H-1B and H-4 Visa Appointments Delayed as US Expands Social Media Screening

A number of H-1B and H-4 visa appointments originally scheduled for mid- to late-December 2025 are being rescheduled to March 2026, following the introduction of an online presence review. 

Under the new procedure, applicants must make their social media accounts accessible for review. While biometrics appointments continue, daily consular interviews are limited, resulting in delays for prospective visa holders.

Expanded Social Media Vetting

The US State Department has implemented a policy requiring H-1B applicants and their dependents to provide public access to social media accounts for screening. 

The new vetting process, effective from 15 December 2025, is intended to supplement background checks. 

However, it has led to consulates reducing the number of interviews conducted daily, which in turn has caused the rescheduling of appointments to align with the slower processing pace.

Impact on Visa Scheduling

Consulates have clarified that while biometrics appointments are proceeding as scheduled, visa interviews are being deferred, sometimes by several months.

Applicants are notified of new dates only after completing their biometric procedures. 

The measure affects many mid-December appointments and is expected to continue until the adjusted queue can accommodate the updated screening requirements.

Regulatory Changes and Fees

Earlier in 2025, the US introduced updated H-1B regulations, redefining specialty occupations, tightening degree relevance criteria, and enhancing employer compliance obligations.

In addition, a one-time $100,000 fee was announced in September 2025 for new H-1B petitions, exempting continuing employment filings. 

These changes have increased scrutiny of new petitions and introduced additional costs, influencing workforce planning and hiring strategies for companies that rely on H-1B visas.

Industry Response

Indian IT companies, immigration attorneys, and applicants have expressed concern over the cumulative effect of higher fees, stricter occupational definitions, and broader social media screening. 

The adjustments are expected to influence future H-1B recruitment, visa strategies, and onsite deployments for organisations engaging US-based personnel.

Read More: China Launches Online Visa System for Indian Applicants.

Conclusion

The combination of enhanced social media vetting, regulatory updates, and new filing fees has created delays and uncertainty for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.