New Delhi: The U.S. Embassy and consulates are urging H-1B and H-4 visa applicants to apply as early as possible following a Dec. 15 expansion of mandatory "online presence reviews" that has triggered worldwide scheduling delays.

In a "worldwide alert" posted to social media Monday, the State Department confirmed that digital vetting now applies to all H-1B and H-4 applicants regardless of nationality. The embassy warned that the additional screening layer will result in longer processing times and advised travellers to plan accordingly to avoid being stranded abroad.

Immediate Impact on Indian Tech Workers

The directive has had an immediate impact in India, the largest source of H-1B workers. Thousands of appointments originally scheduled for late December have been abruptly cancelled and moved to as late as mid-2026.

Consular officials stated that the increased scrutiny is an effort to "address abuse of the H-1B program while still permitting companies to hire the best of the best." While biometrics appointments are largely proceeding, the subsequent visa interviews are being throttled to allow officers time to review years of digital activity.

New Social Media Protocols

The new protocol requires applicants to provide social media handles used over the last five years and instructs them to set their profile privacy settings to "public" for the duration of the application. Consular officers are using the information to identify potential security threats or indicators of hostility toward the United States as part of a broader national security mandate.

India Hardest Hit by Delays

The impact of the expanded vetting has been most acute in India, where thousands of applicants have seen their December interview dates abruptly rescheduled to as late as mid-2026. The embassy warned that anyone whose appointment has been moved will be denied entry to consular facilities if they attempt to appear on their original date.

"U.S. embassies and consulates continue to accept and process H-1B and H-4 nonimmigrant visa applications," the embassy stated. "We encourage applicants to apply as early as they can and anticipate additional processing time."

Corporate Travel Warnings

Technology giants, including Amazon, Google, and Apple, have issued internal advisories to employees currently in the U.S. on work visas. Staff requiring a new visa stamp are being told to defer all non-essential international travel, as a routine trip home could turn into a months-long wait for a return interview.

The State Department reiterated that visa adjudication is a national security decision and that holding a visa remains a privilege rather than a right. Applicants are advised to monitor official communications for further updates to their appointment status.