H-1B Workers Stranded: US Delays Visa Interviews Amid Social Media Vetting

• Hundreds of H-1B visa holders are stranded in India after their US consular appointments for routine renewals were unexpectedly rescheduled, some to March 2026.
• The delays stem from a new US State Department directive, effective December 15, mandating social media screening for all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants.
• Applicants must set social media privacy settings to "public" for review as part of national security and public safety assessments.
• Major tech companies like Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc have cautioned employees against overseas travel, warning of re-entry processing delays up to 12 months.
• This adds to existing pressures on the US immigration system, including H-1B fee hikes and a broader security-first approach pausing applications from "countries of concern."

Why It Matters: New US social media vetting for H-1B visas strands workers in India, causing significant delays and uncertainty.