A significant number of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants are facing fresh disruptions after the Trump administration’s new rule mandating social-media screening comes into effect from December 15, 2025. Under this policy, all H-1B workers and their H-4 dependents must undergo enhanced vetting, which includes making their social-media accounts publicly accessible for review.
Immigration attorneys report that visa interview appointments scheduled from mid-to-end December 2025 at multiple U.S. consulates—including Hyderabad and Chennai—have been abruptly canceled. Many applicants have now been assigned interview dates months later, with numerous cases pushed to March 2026.
The sudden cancellations have caused distress among applicants. According to attorneys, those most affected include:
- Individuals who travelled to India briefly for visa stamping before starting new jobs
- Applicants visiting for weddings or short family trips
- H-1B workers who accompanied parents returning to India for the winter
These travelers, now stranded, are unable to return to the U.S. until fresh appointments are secured.
The U.S. Department of State previously announced the new screening requirement on December 5, stating that all H-1B and H-4 applicants must undergo mandatory social-media review starting December 15. Applicants must switch their social-media profiles to public visibility to enable scrutiny.
Immigration experts say the fallout is already visible. U.S. consulates are reportedly reducing the number of applicants they process each day, which has led to large-scale cancellations of previously booked appointments. The reduced interview capacity is being cited as the primary reason behind the widespread disruption.
As thousands of workers and families await rescheduled dates, attorneys warn that further delays may continue into early next year.