India’s Ministry of External Affairs has raised concerns with U.S. officials over delays in H-1B visa processing following the introduction of new screening measures, including social media checks.
Interviews for many applicants have been canceled and rescheduled for 2026.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the delays had created “hardships” for families, and said some Indian citizens had been “stranded” due to the disruptions.
The U.S. State Department has cited “operational constraints” and the rollout of social media reviews as reasons for temporarily canceling a number of H-1B visa appointments at its consulates in Chennai and Hyderabad. Impacted applicants were advised not to attend their original appointments.
The Chennai consulate said that the measures were intended to ensure that applicants do not pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety.
The H-1B visa allows U.S. companies to sponsor highly skilled foreign professionals, primarily in technology, engineering, and related fields. Each year, 85,000 new H-1B visas are issued, with 65,000 for regular applicants and 20,000 reserved for those with advanced U.S. degrees. India has accounted for a significant portion of H-1B beneficiaries.
Starting December 15, the U.S. Department of State expanded its online presence review to include all H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents as part of standard visa screening. Applicants are required to make their social media profiles publicly accessible to support the vetting process. The measure aims to prevent abuse of the H-1B program, while allowing U.S. companies to continue hiring highly-skilled foreign workers.
President Donald Trump’s administration has also introduced higher fees for certain visa categories as part of immigration changes. A new $100,000 fee applies to H-1B visa petitions filed for applicants outside the United States and must be paid by the sponsoring employer.
The measure is intended to reduce perceived misuse of the visa system and encourage companies to prioritize hiring U.S. workers. Extensions or renewals for H-1B holders already in the United States are not affected. Critics warn, however, that the higher fee could discourage employers from sponsoring foreign talent and disrupt plans for thousands of prospective visa holders.
Applicants Struggling To Secure Interview Slots
Immigration attorney Rajiv Khanna shared accounts on LinkedIn of families who were unable to secure interview slots despite having approved emergency requests due to technical issues with the U.S. visa scheduling portal.
In one case, a family traveled to India with young children, completed biometrics, and had an approved emergency appointment, but could not schedule an interview because of portal glitches.
“I received a message this morning that somebody got an emergency request approved, and they were given an appointment in February, and everything seems to be proceeding on track,” Khanna told Newsweek.
Immigration attorney Ellen Freeman said: “Statements from people in India remain hopeful, and their employers in the U.S. remain hopeful. They are preparing statements of urgency and, you know, trying to expedite appointments, very few people are getting emergency appointments, and even if they are, they’re still months away.”
Freeman added that the delays were not just logistical glitches in the U.S. visa system. She said that U.S. officials under the Trump administration had expressed strong anti-visa and anti-immigration views, which she believes may be contributing to the slow response in resolving the issue.
“It’s definitely a concerted effort to reduce the number of Indian immigrants in the United States and addressing it as just this minor glitch issue that you have to make your social media accounts open would not result in visa cancellations for nine months,” she said.
“It just seems to be a very slow diplomatic response or maybe an unwillingness or disinterest on the part of the United States to do anything about it.”
A State Department spokesperson told Newsweek that under the Trump Administration, the department is employing all available tools to carefully screen visa applicants. They added that this includes reviewing the online presence of applicants who will spend extended periods in U.S. communities.
The delays have prompted mixed reactions. Critics argue that stricter vetting protects American jobs, while supporters note that Indian professionals contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, particularly in the technology sector.
Opinions within the Republican Party are divided on H-1B visas. Some within the Make American Great Again movement argue that the program can displace American workers and is open to misuse, while others stress it is vital for filling labor gaps in tech and specialized industries.
Conservative commentator Nick Sortor reacted to the report on X with a laughing emoji, and noted that the citizens were described as “stranded” in their home country. “Just leave them there! Please! We DO NOT need them,” he wrote.
In response to the Indian government’s remarks, Fox News host Laura Ingraham wrote on X: “N-O.”
U.S. embassies and consulates remain open for H-1B and H-4 visa applications, and applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The enhanced vetting process may lead to delays and scheduling disruptions for both applicants and sponsoring employers.
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