Consulates Begin Unilaterally Rescheduling H-1B and H-4 Visa Appointments

There have been many reports that the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has begun automatically rescheduling some H-1B and H-4 visa appointments, with the DOS admitting that it is doing so in an effort to free up resources needed to implement the social media vetting procedures announced on December 3, 2025.  Many of these appointments have been rescheduled several months into the future, with reports of the new appointments being as late as June 2026.  While most of these reports have been from consular posts in India, rescheduled appointments have been reported at other posts worldwide, including Ireland and Vietnam.  Applicants who are unable to attend the appointment on the new assigned date can reschedule, but alternative options may be limited and the ability to reschedule is a one-time allowance.  It is not clear whether consular posts will entertain expedited appointment requests.

Accordingly, H-1B and H-4 visa holders should avoid non-essential international travel if a new visa is required and those who are leaving the U.S. and attending visa appointments should do so with caution, as such appointments may be rescheduled without notice, resulting in possible long-term absences from the U.S.  Employers will need to be aware of the possibility of travel delays for these individuals, and are encouraged to discuss the risks of international travel with any impacted employees and other relevant personnel (i.e., managers).

While the appointment rescheduling trend appears to be limited at this time to H-1B and H-4 visa appointments, it is possible the DOS could expand this trend to F, M, and J visa appointments, as these visa holders are also subject to enhanced social media screening.  Those individuals should also take caution when traveling internationally and attending visa appointments, and may want to avoid non-essential international travel.