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ARTICLE · 15 DECEMBER 2025

U.S. Consulates Delay H-1B And H-4 Visa Appointments For New Vetting Protocol

Holland & Knight
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The U.S. Department of State is expanding its review of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants' online presences, and U.S. consulates have started canceling and rescheduling visa appointments scheduled on or after Dec. 15, 2025...

United StatesImmigration
Nora Katz
Nora Katz
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The U.S. Department of State is expanding its review of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants' online presences, and U.S. consulates have started canceling and rescheduling visa appointments scheduled on or after Dec. 15, 2025, when the new vetting protocol goes into effect. Many applicants are reporting their visa appointments have been postponed until March 2026 or later. This trend is expected to expand, likely affecting a growing number of consular posts and leading to extended wait times for new visa appointments across various nonimmigrant categories.

New State Department Policy

The State Department's new and more stringent vetting protocol includes a review of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants' online and social media presences. This additional step in the adjudication process requires more time per applicant, thereby reducing the overall daily processing capacity of consular officers. To align their schedules with this change, consular posts have begun canceling and

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