H-1B/H-4 Visa Appointment Cancellations For Enhanced Vetting

Following the Dept. of State's announcement that it will expand its "online presence review" to all H‑1B and H-4 visa applicants starting Dec. 15, 2025, U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India ("Mission India") started, on Dec. 8, sending cancellation emails to those with interviews scheduled on/after Dec. 15. While cancellations have so far been reported out of Mission India only (particularly in Chennai and Hyderabad), travelers need to be prepared even if applying at another consulate to receive similar cancellation emails/notices that may disrupt their travel plans.

What is "Enhanced Vetting"?

First impacting applicants for F-1, M-1 or J-1 student visa (since June 2025), "enhanced vetting" is a policy whereby the Dept. of State and Consular Officers review certain visa applicants' social media profiles and activity to determine whether they display "hostile attitudes towards U.S. citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles," or "support