NEW DELHI: The U.S. Embassy in India has issued a strict advisory urging all visa applicants to attend only their newly rescheduled appointment dates, following widespread changes to interview slots across consulates in India.
In an official post on X, the Embassy said, “If 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.”
ATTENTION VISA APPLICANTS – If 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…
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 9, 2025
The Embassy also cautioned that applicants arriving on their old appointment dates will not be allowed entry. “Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate,” the statement added.
The advisory has come amid a wave of sudden cancellations and postponements affecting H-1B, H-4, and tourist visa applicants.
According to reports, the disruptions are linked to enhanced screening and social-media vetting procedures, prompting consular teams to reshuffle thousands of interview slots.
Immigration lawyers described the situation as confusing, with many families stranded in India after their appointments were moved to early 2026. Several applicants who travelled for year-end visa stamping have reported receiving emails rescheduling their interviews by months.
Experts say the expanded vetting requirements have slowed down processing at U.S. missions globally, but India — one of the busiest visa hubs — has been hit particularly hard.
Lawyers quoted in recent reports called the sudden rescheduling a “maze of pitfalls” for professionals who must return to the U.S. for work deadlines and H-1B compliance.
The Embassy has advised applicants to closely monitor their email and attend only the revised date provided by Mission India. Consular officials reiterated that walk-ins or arrivals on previously scheduled dates will not be entertained under any circumstances.
