Thousands of pre-scheduled H-1B visa interviews in India have been abruptly postponed, leaving applicants facing long delays and uncertainty about returning to their jobs in the United States. The rescheduling is linked to tighter background checks and enhanced scrutiny of social media activity, according to reports.

What has changed in the H-1B visa interview process?

Visa interviews that were scheduled for dates after December 15 have been pushed back by several months, with some new appointments reportedly moved as far as October 2026. These sudden changes have affected a large number of applicants who were expecting to complete their visa stamping during December.

The US embassy in India has advised applicants not to appear at consular offices based on their earlier interview dates. In a post on X earlier this month, the embassy said:

"If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate."

Why are interviews being postponed?

The mass postponement of interviews is being linked to enhanced vetting measures introduced under new rules. Reports indicate that background verification processes have become stricter, with increased attention to the social media profiles and online presence of visa applicants.

Because of these measures, all applicants who had interviews scheduled from December 15 onwards are reportedly being rescheduled. The delays are expected to significantly slow down the return of affected workers to the United States.

Who is most affected by these delays?

Many of the impacted applicants had already travelled to India for their visa interviews. Without a valid H-1B visa stamp, they are now unable to return to the US and resume work until their new interview dates arrive.

According to reports, interview delays are not limited to the H-1B category. Several other visa categories are also facing postponements due to the same social media scrutiny requirements. The exact number of applicants affected by these changes is not yet known.

What are immigration experts saying?

Houston-based immigration attorney Emily Neumann has criticised the cancellations, highlighting the uncertainty faced by workers and employers. In a post on X, she said:

"Visa stamping feels like a maze of pitfalls right now. Now, appointments are getting cancelled without warning and pushed out by months. There is no predictability in this process, and it is creating real challenges for businesses and employees who need to travel."

How does this fit into wider US visa policy?

The H-1B visa programme has been under increased scrutiny as part of the Donald Trump administration’s broader approach to immigration. There has been a noticeable rise in checks on applicants’ social media posts and online activity.

Under the H-1B programme, US companies hire foreign professionals with specialised skills for an initial period of three years, with the option to extend employment for another three years.

Indians account for an estimated 71 per cent of approved H-1B applications in recent years, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. In September, US President Donald Trump also signed a proclamation raising the H-1B visa fee to $100,000, adding another layer of challenge for applicants and employers.

For many visa holders stuck in India, the postponement means prolonged separation from work and uncertainty about future travel. Until new interview dates arrive and visas are stamped, returning to the US remains out of reach for thousands of skilled workers.