US Expands H-1B, H-4 Visa Vetting; Embassy Flags Interview Delays and Rescheduling

The United States has expanded online presence reviews for all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants worldwide as part of its standard visa screening process, triggering widespread interview delays in India. The US Embassy in India has advised applicants to apply early and expect additional processing time, even as thousands of pre-scheduled interviews from December 15 onwards have been postponed by several months. 

The move comes amid a broader US crackdown on abuse of the H-1B programme and illegal immigration. Indian professionals, including technology workers and physicians, remain among the largest groups affected by the changes.

Key Takeaways on US H-1B and H-4 Visa Vetting

• Online presence reviews expanded to all H-1B and H-4 applicants from December 15
• Vetting applies globally to applicants of all nationalities
• Mass rescheduling of visa interviews in India reported
• US Embassy reiterates visa is “a privilege, not a right”
• Indian professionals among the most impacted groups

Expanded Vetting Announced for H-1B and H-4 Visas

The US Embassy in India has announced that beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants as part of standard visa screening. The embassy clarified that this vetting is being conducted globally for all applicants of all nationalities applying under these two visa categories.

In a post on X, the embassy issued a worldwide alert stating:
“Beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to ALL H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening. This vetting is being conducted globally for ALL applicants of ALL nationalities for H1-B and H-4 visas (sic).”

The embassy said US embassies and consulates continue to accept and process H-1B and H-4 non-immigrant visa applications, while advising applicants to apply as early as possible and anticipate additional processing time.

Interview Delays and Mass Rescheduling in India

The announcement comes at a time when thousands of pre-scheduled interviews of H-1B visa applicants in India have been abruptly postponed by several months. The rescheduling applies to all applicants who were previously given appointments from December 15 onwards.

According to information shared in the chunks, applicants whose interviews were scheduled for December 15 received emails postponing their appointments to sometime in March. Those who had interviews scheduled for December 19 were given new dates in late May.

The mass cancellation and rescheduling of interviews, in view of enhanced vetting measures, are expected to result in significant delays in applicants’ return to the United States.

Applicants Stranded Due to Visa Delays

A large number of applicants had already travelled to India for their visa appointments and are now unable to return to the US as they do not have valid H-1B visas to resume their jobs. The delays have affected professionals who were awaiting interview clearance to re-enter the United States.

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Hundreds of Indian immigrants are facing visa delays due to these new US policies, as enhanced screening measures impact appointment schedules across multiple visa categories.

H-1B Visa’s Importance for Indian Professionals

The H-1B visa programme is used extensively by American technology companies to employ foreign workers. Indian professionals, including technology workers and physicians, form one of the largest groups of H-1B visa holders.

Given the scale of Indian participation in the programme, the expanded vetting and interview delays have had a substantial impact on Indian applicants seeking to continue employment in the United States.

Embassy Cites Effort to Address Abuse

Amid hardship faced by visa applicants, the US Embassy said the move was being implemented to address abuse of the H-1B programme while still allowing companies to hire highly skilled temporary foreign workers.

“It is an effort to address abuse of the H-1B program while still permitting companies to hire the best of the best temporary foreign workers,” the embassy said in its social media post.

The announcement also aligns with the broader US crackdown on abuse of the H-1B visa programme and illegal immigration.

US Visa Described as ‘Privilege, Not a Right’

Over the past several months, the US Embassy has repeatedly underlined through posts on X that a US visa is “a privilege, not a right.”

On June 19, the embassy wrote:
“A US visa is a privilege, not a right. US visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued – and we may revoke your visa if you break the law.”

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On June 23, the embassy asked applicants for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas to switch their social media privacy settings to “public” to facilitate vetting, stating that this was necessary to establish identity and admissibility to the United States under law.

Government of India Responds in Parliament

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on December 18, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the US administration has announced that every visa adjudication is a national security decision.

He said the US has clarified that a US visa is a privilege, not a right. As part of follow-up measures, the US administration, through notifications dated June 18 and December 3, expanded screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States.

The minister said this applies to student and exchange visitor applicants under F, M, and J non-immigrant classifications, as well as H-1B applicants and their dependents under the H-4 category, further impacting visa appointment schedules.

India Engaged With US on Mobility Frameworks

Kirti Vardhan Singh said visa issuance and related policy and procedural frameworks remain the sovereign prerogative of the concerned country.

He added that the Government of India remains engaged with the US government to promote mutually advantageous and secure mobility frameworks. These efforts aim to streamline legal mobility for students and professionals while facilitating short-term tourist and business travel.

What Lies Ahead for Visa Applicants

The expanded vetting process and rescheduled interviews mark a significant shift in US visa screening practices. While applications continue to be accepted and processed, applicants have been advised to prepare for longer timelines and additional scrutiny.

The developments reflect the US administration’s focus on national security considerations, compliance enforcement, and programme integrity, even as global demand for skilled migration remains strong.

Spiritual Identity Beyond Physical Borders

Just as a valid visa and passport are essential when one travels from one country to another, a spiritual identity is required when a soul departs this world after death. Spiritual teachings describe this identity as the passport of true devotion, often referred to as Satnaam, without which no spiritual journey is considered valid. Such devotion is recognised only when it is received from a Tatvdarshi Sant, making it meaningful and accepted. 

Sacred scriptures describe Satlok as the ultimate realm of God, attainable only through true devotion. Understanding who the Tatvdarshi Sant is, listening to His spiritual discourses, studying holy books such as Gyan Ganga and Jeene Ki Raah, and receiving Naam Diksha are described as essential steps toward liberation. This pursuit of salvation is presented as the true purpose of human life.

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