Indian visa seekers for H-1B visas are experiencing prolonged waiting times because of a new visa screening on social media sites now required by the US. This new development is expected to make visa seekers wait until October next year to get their visas.
Visa Interview Dates Pushed Further
According to English language media sources, several visa interview schedules have been postponed to the end of October 2026. Earlier, US Embassy officials had confirmed that H-1B and H-4 visa interviews scheduled for December and January were postponed to February and March of the subsequent year. According to the recent updates available, it can be noted that the dates have been further postponed.
Reason for the Delays
The delays have come about owing to the extra time that has to be taken for the review of the social media profiles of the candidates. This has left the candidates uncertain. Some candidates have accepted job offers as well as purchased airline tickets to travel to the United States. This has made their lives even harder.
Social Media Vetting Policy
The US has implemented social media background screenings for applicants of H-1B and H-4 visas since December 15. In this background check, the US State Department ordered applicants to make their social media profiles public. According to US officials, this new policy aims to enhance national security screenings.
Tags Cloud
