U.S. Delays H-1B and H-4 Visa Interviews as New Online Review Begins

If you’re planning to travel to the United States on an H-1B or H-4 visa in the coming months, here is an important update you should know. Many visa interviews that were scheduled for mid and late December 2025 are being cancelled and pushed to March 2026. Fragomen flagged this trend after several applicants reported sudden rescheduling notices.

Social Media Checks Now Part of the Review

As per the new rules, starting 15 December, US consular officials will begin reviewing the social media accounts of all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. In simple terms, both primary applicants and dependents will now be asked to make their social-media accounts public for background checks.

Emails from several US consulates confirm that because this new review takes time, consultants say they can interview fewer people per day. To avoid long queues and daily backlogs, they are cancelling many December appointments and shifting them several months ahead.

Biometrics Will Still Go Ahead

H-1B and H-4 visa applicants who need to submit their biometrics do not need to worry. Applicants will still have their fingerprints taken on the scheduled date, but their interview will happen later, sometimes months afterwards.

Recent Rule Changes Adding to Uncertainty

This is not the only update affecting the H-1B process. Early this year, the US government introduced new modernisation rules that:

• redefined what counts as a speciality occupation
• made degree relevance stricter
• increased compliance expectations for employers

Then, in September 2025, a one-time fee of 100,000 USD was announced for all new H-1B petitions. Petitions for continued employment are exempt, but the cost has already sparked concern among companies planning fresh hires.

What This Means for Workers and Employers

These overlapping changes are shaping the visa landscape in a big way. Applicants now face longer visa wait times and more scrutiny. Employers, especially in India’s IT sector, are rethinking onsite hiring due to the high petition fee and tighter definitions.

Final Thoughts

If you have an H-1B or H-4 interview scheduled in December, keep checking your email. There is a strong chance it may be moved to March 2026. Preparing early and staying updated can save you trouble later.