Overview
- Effective December 15, the State Department extended mandatory online‑presence and social‑media vetting to H‑1B workers and H‑4 dependents.
- U.S. posts across India canceled or auto‑rescheduled interviews set for December 15 onward, moving many to March–June 2026 and instructing applicants not to appear on original dates.
- Biometrics (VAC) appointments generally remain valid, but interview slots are fewer, rescheduling is typically limited to one change, and MRV fee receipts older than a year may be unusable.
- Attorneys and employer advisories urge H‑1B/H‑4 holders to avoid nonessential travel because prolonged stays abroad risk job loss and family separation, with remote work often not permitted.
- Alternative options are constrained by tighter third‑country processing rules, and legal guidance warns other high‑volume posts could reduce capacity as they adopt the same review.