NATIONAL: H-1B Interview Freeze Strands Thousands of Indian Applicants
Thousands of Indian professionals face uncertainty after the U.S. State Department postponed H-1B and H-4 visa interviews set for mid-December 2025.
This stems from a new mandate requiring consular officers to scrutinize applicants’ social media and online profiles, effective December 15.
The change has upended travel plans for many who returned home solely for these appointments.
Impact on Schedules
Emails from U.S. immigration services have rescheduled slots without prior notice, pushing them months ahead.
Those with interviews on December 15 now face March 2026 dates, while later December bookings shift to May.
Biometrics sessions continue uninterrupted, but reduced daily interview capacities mean longer queues overall.
- December 15 appointments: Rescheduled to March 2026
- December 16-19 appointments: Deferred to late March or early April 2026
- Post-December 19 slots: Pushed to May 2026
Stranded in Limbo
Many applicants, already in India, cannot return to their U.S. jobs without valid stamps, stranding them during the holiday season.
This affects not just individuals but employers relying on timely renewals to fill critical roles in tech and beyond.
Families, including H-4 dependents, feel the ripple effects of prolonged separations.
Broader Visa Ripples
The delays extend beyond H-1B to other nonimmigrant categories like F, M, and J student visas, which adopted similar social media checks in June 2025.
Consulates worldwide report scaled-back capacities to accommodate the vetting, leading to a backlog.
Urgent business travelers may qualify for expedited requests, but approvals remain inconsistent.
Embassy’s Firm Stance
On December 9, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi issued a clear advisory: Do not arrive at consulates with outdated dates, as entry will be denied.
“We stand ready to support you on your new appointment,” the notice reads, urging patience amid the overhaul. This aims to prevent crowds and streamline operations, but it adds to the frustration.
Voices from the Ground
Social media buzzes with anonymous pleas from affected Indians, sharing tales of dashed timelines.
One Chennai applicant vented, “Biometrics done Tuesday, interview set for the 18th; now it’s April 30, 2026.
Back to square one.” Forums overflow with tips on automatic visa revalidation for short U.S. re-entries, a niche workaround for some.
Expert Backlash
Houston immigration lawyer Emily Neumann called the moves “a chaotic turn in an already labyrinthine system.” She noted the unpredictability burdens businesses and workers alike, with no buffer for sudden policy pivots.
Neumann advises early applications and public profile audits to mitigate risks, highlighting the human cost of bureaucratic tightening.
Underlying Reforms
Under the Trump administration’s immigration push, this vetting expansion seeks to flag security risks through public posts, echoing broader curbs like a $100,000 H-1B petition fee from September 2025.
While aimed at integrity, critics argue it slows talent inflows vital to U.S. innovation. As 2026 looms, applicants brace for more flux in a high-stakes process.