If you had an H-1B visa interview scheduled in India this December, there’s some bad news. US consulates in India have canceled thousands of appointments because of new US social media vetting rules effective December 15, 2025. This sudden change has left many applicants stuck, waiting for months while families face stress and uncertainty.
Emails from consulates warn applicants not to attend their original dates. If you show up, you could be denied entry, though your biometrics appointments remain valid. This H-1B visa mass appointment cancellation is part of operational adjustments to review social media profiles before interviews. Because fewer interviews are happening each day, some applicants may experience delays under 221(g) or even denials if their profiles don’t match their application details.
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What is Social Media Vetting?
Social media vetting is basically a background check on your online presence. For H-1B and H-4 visas, US consulates now review posts, profiles, and connections on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. They’re looking for anything inconsistent with your application, or anything that could raise security concerns. Even old posts can matter, so it’s a good idea to clean up your profiles before your h-1b visa interview.
Also Read: US Social Media Vetting Rule Creates Chaos for H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants
What This Means for Indians
Indians dominate the H-1B program (over 70%), so these H-1B Visa program changes are being felt the hardest. Thousands of Indians are affected, especially in Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad, where over 7,500 slots have been canceled. Families are getting separated, with principal applicants in the US and H-4 dependents stuck in India. Experts are urging applicants to clean social media profiles, notify employers, and monitor the consulate portal. Right now, H-1B visa appointment availability is limited, and third-country options aren’t reliable. Most canceled appointments are being rescheduled to March-April 2026 or later.
Anyone planning travel should stay alert, check official portals, and consider alternatives. For those applying for US visa online, be careful with your documentation. Even though the rule doesn’t officially apply to tourists, recent developments show that nothing can be taken for granted.
Conclusion
These H-1B Visa vetting changes are part of broader H-1B Visa program changes, and it’s hitting Indians hardest since they make up more than 70% of H-1B holders. Keep an eye on H-1B news, stay patient, and make sure all documents and social media profiles are in order, your h-1b visa interview will happen eventually, just not as soon as expected.
FAQs – H-1B Visa Appointments
How to get an H-1B visa appointment?
You need to fill out the online DS-160 form, pay the fees, and book your slots through the official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service website for the country where you plan to apply.
Are visa slots available for fall 2025?
Availability is highly dynamic; while some slots might open up randomly, many existing appointments for late 2025 were recently rescheduled, making concrete availability hard to predict right now.
Who has to pay $100,000 for an H-1B visa?
Nobody has to pay $100,000 for an H-1B visa; this figure sounds like a misunderstanding of specific legal settlement fees or the required prevailing wage rules.
How to check for US visa appointment slots?
The best way to check for slots is by logging into your personal profile on the U.S. Department of State Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) and monitoring the booking system frequently for cancellations or new openings.
How much salary is needed for H-1B?
You must be paid at least the “prevailing wage” for your specific job title and location, which is determined by the Department of Labor and varies widely across different roles and cities.
What is the 3 for 1 rule for H-1B?
There is no recognized “3 for 1 rule” for H-1B visas; this term does not correspond to any actual immigration regulation or policy.
How long does H-1B approval take?
Standard processing for the initial petition (Form I-129) usually takes several months (3 to 6+), but employers can pay an extra fee for premium processing to get a response in as little as 15 business days.
How long can you stay in the US on an H-1B?
The initial H-1B visa is typically granted for up to three years, and you can usually extend it for a maximum total stay of six years, though extensions beyond that are possible if you have a pending green card application.
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