Indian H-1B workers returning home for winter holidays are now facing mass appointment cancellations. You can see panic growing as visa interviews are being cancelled without warning due to expanded social media vetting requirements.
Interview dates pushed to 2026
In two days, dozens of Indians reported cancellations for post December 15 interview slots in Chennai and Hyderabad. These dates have now been pushed to March and April 2026, leaving many confused and stranded with no clarity.
Sudden emails and distant rescheduling
People are waking up to identical emails stating their interviews are cancelled and “automatically rescheduled.” The new dates are so distant that many believe the delay is deliberate rather than a routine scheduling change.
OFC appointments still unaffected
The OFC biometrics appointments continue as usual. However, the main consular interview, which decides the visa stamp, is the one facing delays. This mismatch adds to the stress for workers who need quick approvals to return to the US.
New social media vetting raises questions
The new ruling requires H-1B applicants to submit their social media accounts for online presence review. Many Indians point out that they already submit this information on the DS 160 form, making the sudden delays feel like a backlog issue, not an individual review.
Frustration over unclear planning
People are questioning why such a major change was applied without proper preparation when the US immigration system is already under pressure. Many are asking why H-1B workers are suffering due to administrative confusion.
Workers fear losing their jobs
Many Indian workers now fear job loss because their visa stamps have expired. Without a new stamp, they cannot return after the holidays. The visa helpline is adding to the confusion by giving mixed explanations to callers in Chennai and Hyderabad.
A long wait with no answers
For now, workers are stuck refreshing emails and waiting for a possible reversal. Nobody knows how long this disruption will continue. The US Embassy has offered no official explanation, leaving hundreds of H-1B visa holders in limbo.
