U.S. Immigration News

U.S. Consulates Delay H-1B and H-4 Visa Appointments Due to Online Presence Checks

Overview

U.S. consulates worldwide have begun delaying and rescheduling H-1B and H-4 visa interview appointments, creating significant uncertainty for thousands of applicants and their employers. These delays are primarily linked to the U.S. Department of State’s rollout of expanded “online presence” and digital security screening measures, which are now being conducted in advance of in-person visa interviews.

As a result, applicants with appointments originally scheduled in the coming months are seeing their interviews postponed. Sometimes by several weeks or even months,  disrupting planned travel, onboarding schedules, and overall global mobility timelines.

What Is Causing the Delays?

The U.S. government has expanded its pre-interview screening protocols to include reviews of applicants’ online presence and broader digital footprint. This additional security layer requires consular officers to complete these checks before making interview appointments available or confirming existing slots.

As a result:

• Previously confirmed H-1B and H-4 appointments are being canceled or rescheduled
• New appointment slots are being released more slowly
• Some applicants are seeing appointment dates move several months ahead

These changes are being rolled out across multiple consular posts and are expected to continue while procedures and capacity gradually stabilize.

Who Is Impacted?

The delays affect a broad category of applicants, including:

• H-1B visa holders applying for first-time stamping or renewal

• H-4 dependents applying for visas or extensions

• Employees planning international travel relying on visa renewal abroad

• Employers coordinating start dates, project timelines or U.S. entry plans

Applicants currently outside the U.S. or planning travel in the near future face the highest risk of disruption.

Key Risks & Considerations

While the policy does not change eligibility criteria, it introduces several practical challenges:

• Travel Disruptions: Applicants traveling abroad for stamping may face extended stays outside the U.S. if appointments are delayed, affecting employment continuity.

• Project & Onboarding Delays: Employers may need to adjust onboarding dates or reassign work if employees cannot return to the U.S. on time.
• Limited Visibility on Timelines: There is currently no confirmed end date for these enhanced checks, making it difficult to predict appointment availability.
• Increased Pressure on Peak Travel Seasons: Backlogs could worsen during traditionally busy visa periods, such as year-end and summer travel windows.

What Applicants Should Do Now

To minimize disruption, applicants should take proactive steps:

1. Avoid non-essential international travel if visa stamping is required
2. Monitor appointment portals regularly for earlier slot availability
3. Prepare for longer stays abroad if travel is unavoidable
4. Ensure accuracy and completeness of DS-160 and supporting documentation
5. Coordinate closely with employers or immigration advisors before committing to travel dates

What Employers and HR Teams Should Consider

For companies sponsoring H-1B and H-4 visa holders, recommended actions include:

Reassess international travel policies for sponsored employees and assignees Incorporate timeline buffers into relocation, assignment, and onboarding plans. Provide clear, proactive communication to employees regarding potential travel and visa risks. Closely track impacted employees and align contingency staffing and project coverage plans. Engage immigration advisors as early as possible for all potentially affected cases.

Proactive workforce and mobility planning can significantly reduce operational disruption.

Key Takeaway

The delays to H-1B and H-4 visa appointments highlight the growing complexity of U.S. visa processing and the expanding role of pre-screening and security checks.
While these measures are part of broader compliance efforts, they introduce uncertainty for applicants and employers alike.

Careful planning, cautious travel decisions and early engagement with immigration experts will be essential to navigating this period effectively.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Anywr

Anywr is a French international group specializing in international mobility and workforce solutions.
Founded in 2012, Anywr operates in 12 countries across 4 continents. Our mission is to support companies in addressing their Human Resources challenges. We respond to your needs in terms of international mobility, particularly in terms of immigration policies, relocation, the implementation of mobility policies and EOR.

Do you have a mobility project for your teams? Contact us!