### H-1B Visa Delays in India: A New Era of Social Media Vetting The recent implementation of enhanced social media vetting by the US State Department has led to significant delays in H-1B visa interviews for Indian applicants. This new policy, which requires applicants and their dependents to undergo social media reviews, has resulted in the postponement of thousands of visa appointments, with many rescheduled as late as summer 2026. The operational challenges associated with this vetting process have left many skilled workers stranded and at risk of job loss, creating widespread anxiety among applicants and their families [https://thepienews.com/india-new-vetting-delays-us-h-1b-interviews-to-summer-2026, https://inews.zoombangla.com/new-us-social-media-vetting-causes-widespread-h-1b-visa-appointment-delays]. ### Understanding the Impact of Social Media Vetting on H-1B Visa Processing 1. **Policy Implementation**: The US State Department's new social media vetting policy took effect in December 2025, leading to immediate disruptions in the visa application process [https://the420.in/us-social-media-vetting-h1b-visas-india-interview-cancellations-december]. 2. **Appointment Rescheduling**: Many H-1B and H-4 visa interviews originally scheduled for December 2025 have been postponed to March 2026 or later, causing significant delays for applicants [https://www.rediff.com/news/report/thousands-of-h-1b-visa-interviews-deferred-for-social-media-review/20251210.htm]. 3. **Professional and Personal Disruption**: The delays are not just bureaucratic; they threaten the employment status of many skilled workers who may face job losses or payroll interruptions due to their inability to return to the US [https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/us-delays-h-1b-visa-interviews-to-2026-as-new-social-media-vetting-rule-takes-effect-85789.htm]. 4. **Legal and Immigration Concerns**: Immigration attorneys have raised alarms about the potential for widespread job losses among H-1B workers trapped in India due to these delays [https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2025/12/postponed-h-1b-h-4-interviews-in-india-enhanced-vetting-and-end-of-tcn-processing-create-delay-at-us-consulates]. ### Data on H-1B Visa Appointment Delays - **Postponements**: Thousands of H-1B visa interviews have been deferred, with many applicants now facing wait times extending into 2026 [https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/india-h1b-visa-rule-social-media-public-b2881707.html]. - **Affected Applicants**: The delays impact not only new applicants but also those who have previously held H-1B visas and are seeking renewals [https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/h1b-visa-applicants-dependants-to-undergo-social-media-vetting-us-state-department-confirms-101765375396279.html]. - **Job Security Risks**: Many Indian professionals currently in the US are at risk of losing their jobs due to the uncertainty surrounding their visa status [https://telanganatoday.com/hundreds-of-indians-in-us-at-risk-of-losing-jobs-as-uncertainty-looms-over-h-1b-visa-appointments]. ### Conclusion: Navigating the H-1B Visa Landscape Amid New Challenges The introduction of social media vetting for H-1B visa applicants has created a complex and challenging environment for Indian professionals seeking to work in the United States. 1. **Immediate Impact**: The new policy has led to widespread delays and cancellations of visa interviews, with many appointments pushed back to 2026. 2. **Long-term Consequences**: The uncertainty surrounding visa processing is causing significant anxiety among applicants, with potential job losses looming for those unable to return to the US. 3. **Legal Implications**: Immigration experts warn that these changes could have lasting effects on the H-1B visa program and the skilled workforce it supports. As the situation evolves, applicants are advised to stay informed and prepared for further changes in the visa application process [https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/many-h-1b-visa-applicants-interviews-cancelled-as-us-enforces-new-social-media-screening-rules-101765335372162.html].