US Visa: New Rules, Social Media Checks, Many Appointments Delayed to 2026

• US Embassy advises visa applicants not to visit on original dates if appointments are rescheduled; entry will be denied.
• New strict US visa rules from Dec 15 require H-1B/H-4 applicants to make social media profiles public for review.
• Many H-1B/H-4 appointments scheduled for Dec have been postponed until March 2026 due to enhanced security checks.
• Consulates have reduced daily interview slots, impacting travel plans for thousands of applicants.
• Visa wait times vary: New Delhi B-1/B-2 is 3.5 months, Mumbai B-1/B-2 is 9.5 months, and Chennai B-1/B-2 is currently unavailable.

Why It Matters: New US visa rules mean stricter checks and long delays for applicants.