The US State Department’s new social media vetting rule is creating fresh trouble for H-1B applicants in India. Many visa interviews planned for December now appear in March 2025 slots. The US Embassy in India issued an advisory on Tuesday and urged applicants to follow the new dates. It also said that anyone who arrives on the old date will not enter the consulate.
Bloomberg reported wide delays in mid and late December interviews. However, the exact number of changes is still unclear. Immigration attorney Steven Brown said the shift matches what law firms have seen. He added that Mission India moved many appointments to make space for the new checks.
The US government now wants H-1B and H-4 applicants to keep their social media profiles public. From December 15, officials will study online activity to find applicants who may pose safety risks. Students and exchange visitors already face this process, and now many workers must follow it too.
These rules add more pressure to the H-1B program. In September, President Donald Trump announced a one-time $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas. Soon after, the US paused several immigration paths for people from 19 countries following a recent security incident.
