US Visa Cancellations in India Spark Outrage: 'A Maze of Pitfalls' for Applicants

The US embassy in India has sparked widespread criticism among immigration lawyers and applicants after abruptly cancelling visa appointments, citing a new requirement for online presence reviews. The decision, announced on December 9, affects H-1B applicants and their dependents, who will now need to make their social media accounts publicly accessible for visa officers to assess. As of December 15, the new rule will mandate online presence reviews, leading to a backlog of appointments that are reportedly being pushed to March 2026. This has left many applicants frustrated, with some complaining that the cancellations have caused significant disruptions to their travel plans. Two US immigration lawyers, Steven Brown and Emily Neumann, have spoken out against the sudden cancellations. 'Visa stamping feels like a maze of pitfalls right now,' said Neumann, a partner at Reddy Neumann Brown PC. 'Appointments are being cancelled without warning and pushed out by months, creating real challenges for businesses and employees who need to travel.' The embassy's announcement has left many applicants scrambling to reschedule their appointments, with some expressing concern about the impact on their travel plans. 'I am already in India and had an interview for the 23rd,' wrote one person on X. 'My return was early Jan, how do I head back to US now?' The US embassy has urged applicants to attend their new appointment dates, warning that arriving on the previously scheduled date will result in denial of admittance. As the situation continues to unfold, many are calling for more assistance and flexibility to reschedule appointments earlier, rather than waiting until March 2026.