Heightened H-1B and H-4 Vetting Triggers Interview Delays and Cancellations

As of December 15^th, the U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) implemented expanded screening and vetting measures for H-1B and H-4 dependent visa applicants, resulting in widespread interview delays, rescheduling, and cancellations at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.

While online presence and social media reviews have already been a part of the visa adjudication process for certain nonimmigrant categories including F and J nonimmigrants, this review has been expanded to include H-1B and H-4 applicants. As part of this enhanced security measure, H-1B and H-4 applicants are being instructed to adjust their social media privacy settings to “public” to allow the DOS to identify applicants who may be inadmissible to the U.S.

As implementation of these additional screening protocols continues, several embassies and consulates have begun canceling previously scheduled visa appointments and advising applicants that interviews will be rescheduled. While this impact has been most pronounced in India to date, similar increases in appointment wait times may extend to other countries as implementation continues.

In light of these developments, we recommend avoiding nonessential international travel for individuals who will need to apply for a new U.S. visa while abroad. Please continue to monitor Immigration Insights for updates, particularly in light of anticipated holiday travel and evolving government guidance.

Holiday Travel Reminders

As we approach the holiday season and the end of the year, we encourage employers and foreign national employees to plan international travel carefully and to remain attentive to ongoing developments and updated government guidance. Munsch Hardt’s Immigration Team wishes you a safe holiday season and a happy New Year, and below are a few reminders and safety tips for your upcoming holiday travel:

1. Be Prepared: Check your passport and visa validity before a trip. If you are traveling abroad, make sure you have proper documentation to enter the country of your destination and return to the U.S., and have any necessary transit visas for your flight “stopovers.”
2. Plan Ahead: In addition to valid original travel documents for yourself and each family member, be sure to have copies of all of these documents in a safe place, apart from the originals. If your documents are lost or stolen, having these copies would help save time when obtaining duplicates.
3. Check Consular Schedules: If your travel plans include a consular visa appointment, we recommend confirming consular schedules well in advance of travel, particularly in light of recent interview delays and rescheduling trends. Applicants should print and carry all appointment confirmation documentation, including attorney-certified copies of visa petitions and any additional materials required by the specific U.S. embassy or consulate.

We hope that you take care, stay safe, and have a great time with friends and family!