New Social Media Checks for US H-1B Visas Trigger Delays; Indian Applicants Most Affected

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The new social media screening requirement for applicants of H-1B and H-4 visas, which is now effective from 15th December 2025, has led to complete chaos. Cancellation of visa interviews can be seen everywhere, especially for Indians, who have a large volume of applicants.

Appointments in cities such as Hyderabad and Chennai have been pushed by months, leaving professionals stranded and their careers in jeopardy. This sudden change in operations has rendered travel a risk for the world’s largest tech workforce.

Appointment Cancellations and Travel Chaos

The latest requirement of social media screening for all applicants of H-1B and H-4 visas is creating an immediate crisis. The new regulations, which came into effect from 15 December 2025, are causing abrupt changes. Reports are being received from immigration lawyers of a large number of cancelled US consulate interview appointments. These cancellations are being witnessed in abundance in busy centers such as Hyderabad and Chennai in India. In these places, appointments in mid to late December have been postponed by a few months.

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Interviews are being pushed back as far as March 2026. This operational change leaves professionals stranded in India. These individuals include those on brief visits for weddings or those returning after dropping off parents. Many are set to begin new jobs, and the delays jeopardize their employment.

The consulates are interviewing fewer applicants each day to accommodate the time-intensive vetting process. This reduced capacity is the main cause of the mass rescheduling. Immigration law firms are cautioning foreign nationals against non-essential international travel.

Why Indian Applicants are Disproportionately Affected

Indian nationals are experiencing the most significant disruption owing to their dominance in the H-1B visa category. Indians constitute over 70% of all H-1B visa approvals. They also represent the largest proportion of H-4 Employment Authorization Document holders. Consequently, any policy change to the H-1B program naturally impacts them the most by volume.

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This only means that even minor changes of procedure create significant bottlenecks, considering the massive numbers of applications. India runs one of the largest US visa workloads anywhere in the world, making it a "system stress amplifier." High mobility among Indian tech workers also adds to the problem. Many travel abroad often for visa stamping, since there is a lack of options for in-country renewals.

For many, social media has been an essential tool for creating a global professional brand. The new vetting policy, however, forces a major recalibration of their online presence. The scrutiny of their digital footprint now determines their ability to live and work in the US. The policy forces a shift where digital behavior dictates professional opportunity.