A new US State Department policy has triggered widespread rescheduling of visa interviews across India.
The US Embassy in India issued an urgent advisory: “If you received a reschedule email, please come only on the new appointment date.”
The Embassy warned that arriving on the old interview date will result in denied entry to the consulate. Many December appointments are now pushed to March 2026.
Starting December 15, H-1B and H-4 applicants must keep all social media profiles public; Expect officers to review online activity; Undergo screening for security risks. Students and exchange visitors already faced such checks.
The US said: “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision.” This move follows increasing scrutiny of the H-1B program and the recent $100,000 one-time fee imposed on new applications.