Visa applicants across India on Tuesday reported receiving messages that their scheduled H-1B visa appointments at US consulates this week had been rescheduled. In most cases, the new dates have been pushed to March 2026, as US immigration authorities seek additional time to implement enhanced social-media vetting of applicants. Under the new rule, effective December 15, 2025, all visa applicants’ social-media accounts will be reviewed to check for any content deemed negative toward the United States.
Anxiety escalated after the US Embassy in India confirmed the rescheduling of appointments. In an advisory, the mission 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 Consulate.”
However, many applicants described the clarification as vague and unhelpful, saying they are now left in limbo with no guidance on what to do until their new appointment dates. Several also expressed concern over whether their US employers would permit them to remain in India until March—or even later—given remote-work restrictions.
‘Stuck in India, end of my career’
One applicant on Reddit said the sudden rescheduling could end their career, as their US employer does not allow remote work. “I am stuck in India and have biometrics this week. I used all my leave to come for stamping. My employer cannot allow me to work remotely. This is the end of my career. I worked so hard to get a job and build my life—everything is gone with one single decision,” the user wrote. The applicant added that the appointment had been moved to May 2025 and feared they would inevitably lose their job.
‘Canceled right after I completed biometrics’
Another user said their visa appointment at the Chennai Consulate, originally scheduled for December 18, was canceled immediately after they completed biometrics on Tuesday. “This is uncharted territory for everyone,” the user wrote, advising others to consult their employers and immigration attorneys for guidance. “Only after we gather advice from lawyers and companies will we be able to understand what the next steps should be.”
Several applicants said they had traveled to India specifically for their appointments and are now uncertain about their next move, as staying in India until their rescheduled dates in 2026 may not be feasible.
