U.S. Consulates Delay H‑1B and H‑4 Visa Appointments for Online Presence Checks

Key Point 

• U.S. consulates are canceling and rescheduling certain H‑1B and H‑4 visa appointments, likely due to expanded online presence reviews 

Visa Appointment Disruptions 

U.S. consulates are canceling and rescheduling H-1 B and H-4 visa appointments as they expand online presence reviews, with many rescheduled dates being delayed by months into 2026. Reports indicate that new vetting processes are disrupting scheduling and extending wait times. 

Foreign nationals should expect significant delays when applying for an H-1 B or H-4 visa stamp. The U.S. Department of State announced the expansion of online presence reviews, but has not issued an official statement on appointment cancellations. However, the U.S. Embassy in India released the following statement on social media: 

ATTENTION VISA APPLICANTS – If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate.

This confirms that rescheduled applicants must attend only their new appointment date, and consulates will deny entry on the original date.

Expanded Visa Screening for H-1B and H-4 Applicants 

On December 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced expanded measures for screening H-1 B and H-4 applicants, including more extensive online presence reviews that lengthen processing times and disrupt scheduling. At the same time, USCIS has launched a centralized Vetting Center in Atlanta to coordinate immigration screening with advanced technology and inter‑agency reviews. These measures reflect a broader shift toward more frequent, technology‑driven vetting, contributing to delays and rescheduled consular appointments into 2026.

Don’t Miss an Update 

At Envoy Global, we combine smart, friendly legal teams with smart, friendly technology to facilitate immigration for companies and the global talent they depend on. Our holistic, proactive immigration services are built for accuracy and efficiency, always putting people first. 

Reach out today to learn how we can support your company’s immigration needs and help you navigate this rapidly evolving situation.