If you have an H-1B visa appointment or are planning to travel for U.S. visa stamping scheduled for December 15, 2025, or later, your appointment is most likely to be rescheduled. This is a fallout of a new U.S. Department of State policy requiring online-presence vetting for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants which is prompting significant scheduling disruptions across multiple consular posts.
Beginning December 15, 2025, all individuals appearing for H-1B or H-4 visa interviews must undergo a social-media review, and applicants have been instructed to adjust the privacy settings on their social-media accounts to public to facilitate this assessment.
Scope and Early Impact of the Policy Change
The effects of the new vetting requirement have been most pronounced at U.S. Consulates in India, where many applicants have reported receiving updated appointment notices over the past few days. Original December 2025, interviews are being rescheduled as far out as March to July 2026. We have learnt anecdotally that consular posts in Vietnam and Ireland have also issued revised dates, and additional jurisdictions are expected to follow.
Notices to applicants specify that they will not be seen on their original appointment date and must appear only on the newly assigned date shown in the visa appointment portal. Applicants who are unable to attend the newly assigned appointment date may request a reschedule through the online system. However, rescheduling is permitted only once and is subject to the continued validity of the applicant’s visa fee receipt. Fee receipts older than one year are considered expired, and applicants in that category cannot reschedule using the same payment. Consulates may consider missed or cancelled appointments as a forfeiture of the visa application fee.
Importantly, these changes apply only to the visa interview. In most cases, Visa Application Center (VAC) biometric appointments remain unchanged; however, applicants are strongly advised to verify both appointments to avoid any scheduling conflicts.
Operational and Personal Implications
The rescheduling wave presents a range of practical challenges for H-1B workers, H-4 dependents, and their employers. While many applicants planned short international trips around the much-anticipated December appointments, they may now face extended stays abroad if their interview dates shift. This may result in disruptions to:
- Timely return to work in the United States
- Remote-work feasibility and project timelines
- School schedules and family commitments
- Broader workforce and travel-planning considerations for employers
Because consular posts are limiting the number of daily interviews to accommodate enhanced screening, applicants should anticipate longer lead times for appointment availability throughout 2026.
Recommended Action
Given the scope of the new review process and the pace of rescheduling, H-1B and H-4 visa applicants should take the following steps:
1. Monitor Your Visa Appointment Portal
- Log in frequently to review your profile, appointment details, and the message center.
- Save or print any updated confirmation notices, particularly if you intend to travel soon.
2. Prepare Social-Media Accounts for Review
Update privacy settings to “public” before the interview date, as instructed by the U.S. Department of State. Expect this requirement to become standard for all appointments on or after December 15, 2025.
3. Reassess Travel Plans
If you are planning international travel for visa stamping:
- Recognize that your appointment may change with little notice.
- Avoid non-essential travel if your visa has expired or you are seeking an initial H-1B/H-4 stamping.
- Where possible, delay travel until your interview date is firmly established.
4. Coordinate with Your Employer
Discuss remote-work possibilities and project timelines early, particularly if a rescheduled interview could extend your time outside the United States.
5. Understand Rescheduling Constraints
You are permitted to reschedule the interview only once and only while your fee receipt remains valid (less than one year old). Missed or cancelled interviews may cause the fee to be forfeited.
6. Confirm VAC Appointment Status
Although many applicants report no change to their biometrics appointment, verify both the interview and biometrics dates to ensure they align.
Recommended Action
- Log into the visa appointment portal to confirm your current interview date and save or print the updated confirmation.
- Verify whether your VAC or biometrics appointment remains unchanged, as many applicants have reported that only the interview date was modified.
- If your interview has been rescheduled and you have a fixed travel timeline, plan proactively and discuss potential impacts with your employer.
- If your travel plans are flexible, consider delaying your trip to procure a visa stamp, until your interview date is firmly confirmed to avoid work-related disruptions.
We will continue monitoring developments and keep you informed. If you need additional guidance, please feel free to reach out to us.