USA, Dec. 12 -- Immigration attorneys in the United States are urging H-1B visa holders to avoid travelling to India after US consulates abruptly postponed thousands of visa-stamping interviews scheduled for December 2025. The appointments - essential for re-entering the US - have now been pushed to March, April, and even May 2026, leaving many workers stranded and unsure of when they can return to their jobs.

The disruption follows the US State Department's expansion of social-media screening to include H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, a process that had earlier been rolled out for student visa holders. The new vetting requirements have added to consular backlogs and operational delays.

"As of December 15, the Department of State will con...