H-1B visa applicants face cancellations as US expands social media screening

December 10, 2025

New Delhi: Many H-1B and H-4 visa appointments scheduled between mid and late December 2025 are now being cancelled and pushed to March 2026, according to a report by Fragomen. The rescheduling follows the introduction of a new online presence review requirement for H-1B and H-4 applicants starting December 15.

Mandatory Social Media Review

Under the updated policy, the US State Department will require applicants and their dependents to make their social media accounts publicly accessible for screening. While the move aims to strengthen background verification, it also introduces additional procedural steps that may discourage potential applicants.

Email communication from US consulates indicates that, due to the new review system, fewer H-1B and H-4 applicants will be interviewed daily. As a result, upcoming visa appointments are being cancelled to match the slower anticipated processing pace, Fragomen noted.

Biometrics Continue, Interviews Postponed

According to the report, biometrics appointments abroad will continue as scheduled. However, applicants are being informed after biometrics submission that their visa interviews will be postponed—often by several months.

Policy Changes Increase Scrutiny and Costs

The expanded vetting process comes shortly after the US government introduced a set of H-1B modernisation rules earlier in 2025, which tightened the definition of specialty occupations, increased the relevance criteria for degrees, and enhanced employer compliance requirements. These changes have already heightened scrutiny for new H-1B petitions, particularly affecting employers with large-scale filings.

$100,000 Fee Sparks Industry Concern

In September 2025, further uncertainty emerged with the announcement of a one-time $100,000 fee for all new H-1B applications. Although continuing employment petitions are exempt, the policy is expected to significantly influence hiring strategies—especially for Indian IT companies that rely heavily on the programme.

Long-Term Shift Expected

Together, the fee hike, stricter occupational criteria, and broader applicant vetting have sparked concern among tech firms, immigration experts, and visa hopefuls in both the US and India. Industry analysts say these combined policy shifts signal a longer-term shift in how businesses will approach H-1B hiring, compliance, and workforce planning.