What’s Happening
This week practitioners and news outlets are reporting increased instances of applicants for H-1B and H-4 visa stamps receiving notices that their December 2025 consular interviews are being cancelled and rescheduled to dates as late as March 2026.
The shift is tied to a new requirement that all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants undergo an online presence review, which takes effect on December 15th and includes examination of social media and other publicly accessible digital information. Because consular staff must now spend additional time on these reviews, several consulates have begun reducing the number of interviews they can accommodate each day.
Although the visa interviews themselves are being pushed into next year, practitioners report that biometric appointments at Visa Application Centers are still being held. Many applicants are completing fingerprinting and photos as scheduled, only to learn afterward that their interview will be postponed.
What You Need to Know
Regional variation in rescheduling practices
Most of the rescheduling reports circulating publicly have come from applicants in India, particularly in Chennai and Hyderabad. There, biometric appointments have largely continued to take place, but the actual visa interviews have been moved to later months. Applicants often report attending their scheduled biometrics and then receiving notice that the interview will occur in March instead.
At the same time, it is important to note that, so far, the impact has not been uniform around the world. Practitioners and travelers have reported that H category interviews in parts of Europe have continued as planned without being rescheduled. This suggests that some, lower volume posts are able to incorporate the new review requirements without reducing interview volume, while others are facing more significant operational constraints. It is also possible, however, that as we approach the December 15th effective date of the social media vetting expansion to H-1B and H-4 applications more posts could limit appointment availability or begin rescheduling interviews.
Prepare for additional changes with limited notice
As consular posts work to incorporate new vetting requirements into their workflows, appointment availability may continue to shift and consulates could adjust how they handle bookings, including limiting interview availability to accommodate the increased workload; there could also be delays beyond March for new applicants.
As we saw with the introduction of online presence vetting for F, M, and J visa applicants, other visa categories, such as B1/B2 visitor visas, were impacted and some consular posts rescheduled numerous visitor visa interviews to accommodate the increased workload in processing F, M, and J visa applicants. Its possible similar spillover effects, including reduced interview capacity for other visa categories and broader rescheduling of appointments, could again occur as the policy is rolled out to the H-1B and H-4 categories.
Remain flexible and avoid booking non-essential travel if you require a new H-1B/H-4 visa stamp
If you have any special circumstances (urgent start date, travel plans, etc.), consider reaching out early to your employer or immigration counsel and avoid booking non-refundable travel even where your visa interview is confirmed as last minute rescheduling remains possible.
Avoid international travel in the short term where a new H-1B or H-4 visa stamp will be necessary for reentry to the U.S. until consular posts are able to more fully adapt to the increased workload and appointment availability and processing times stabilize.
Things to Keep in Mind
Applicants Should Closely Monitor Appointments Online
It is critical that applicants with scheduled H-1B and H-4 visa interviews keep a close eye on the consular scheduling portal and email for any cancellation notices or updated interview dates. It is also important to note that completing your biometrics appointment does not guarantee that a visa interview will occur as originally scheduled and applicants should plan for the possibility that the biometrics and interview may take place on different days, potentially weeks or months apart. Applicants with December interview dates should anticipate potential changes, even if their biometric session proceeds normally.
Ensure Documentation Remains Accessible and Up-to-Date
Applicant should maintain current and easily accessible copies of all required documents, including:
DS-160 confirmation page
Petition approval notice (I-797)
PassportVisa-compliant photos
Supporting documentation for employment and travel
In addition applicants should monitor validity periods closely and
Ensure MRV receipt is still valid
Confirm that the petition approval has not expired or is not nearing expiration.
Ensure passport will remain valid through newly scheduled interview date.
Address any potential validity issues early to avoid complications due to rescheduling delays.
Having documents organized, updated, and ready will reduce the risk of additional delays once a new interview date is assigned.
Considering Expedite Requests
If travel is time sensitive, applicants may consider requesting an expedited appointment. Note that expedite requests are entirely discretionary, reviewed case-by-case, and are typically granted only for urgent or compelling situations. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on the policies and capacity of each consular post.
Plan Ahead for Travel Impacts and Work Disruptions
Applicants should expect delays if their travel was tied to a December visa interview date. Many applicants planning short trips abroad now face several months of extended stay. New appointment availability may remain limited while consular posts adjust to the increased workload associated with enhanced screening requirements.
Visa processing delays may disrupt employment plans or project timelines and employers may wish to discuss postponing visa stamping trips in the near term until consulates stabilize their appointment capacity and processes.
D&S is continuing to monitor this developing situation and will provide updates as they become available.