ATTENTION VISA APPLICANTS: US Embassy in India issues advisory for amid expanded screening rules

The US Embassy in India has issued an important advisory for visa applicants after several appointments, particularly H-1B and H-4, were rescheduled across the country. The announcement, posted on X (formerly Twitter), warns applicants that turning up on their original appointment date will lead to denial of entry at the Embassy or Consulates.The advisory states:

“Attention Visa ApplicantsIf you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate.”This update comes at a time when many H-1B applicants in India have seen their interviews postponed following the rollout of new social media vetting rules introduced by the US Department of State.

The Embassy’s clarification aims to ensure that applicants follow the new appointment schedules to avoid disruptions in processing.The changes stem from the December updates on screening procedures. Earlier, on December 15, the Department further outlined these requirements, confirming that online presence review, already mandatory for F, M, and J student and exchange visitor categories, would now be extended to all H-1B and dependent H-4 applicants as well.

Read more: Which river crosses the Equator twice?This means every applicant in these visa categories must now ensure their social media profiles are publicly accessible for review:The Department added that they will expand the requirement that an online presence review be conducted for all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to the students and exchange visitors already subject to this review. To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to public.Read more: Travel back 1,000 years: 10 ancient temples in India still standing and open to travellersThe Department of State explains that this step is part of its broader national security framework. According to the official statement:“The State Department uses all available information in visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety. We conduct thorough vetting of all visa applicants, including online presence review of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications.

”The statement further emphasises the role of vetting in safeguarding US interests:“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.

A US visa is a privilege, not a right.”

What applicants should do now

• Attend only the new rescheduled appointment date.• Ensure all social media profiles listed in the application are publicly visible.• Monitor email and official Embassy channels for further updates.With stricter screening measures and evolving appointment schedules, applicants are advised to stay alert and follow all Embassy instructions to avoid delays.