Dozens of Indians applying for H-1B and H-4 visas say they are facing unexpected interview cancellations and confusing reschedules, especially after completing their biometrics. Many took to Reddit over the past few days to understand what exactly is happening, and most of them are just as lost as the next person.
Their frustration comes at a time when the US State Department has quietly started postponing December visa interviews to 2026, following new social-media vetting rules for skilled workers and their families.
‘Interview moved… then cancelled after biometrics’
One Reddit user shared how his wife’s H-4 appointment changed twice, once automatically, and once without warning. “My wife was part of the group whose H-4 visa interviews were automatically moved from Dec 15 to March 30,” he wrote. “She completed biometrics on Dec 8, but the March 30 interview was also automatically cancelled after biometrics, with no new rescheduled appointment. Did anyone else go through the same?”
His post drew responses from others facing the same kind of uncertainty. Many said they were suddenly left with no next date and no explanation from the US consulates.
‘Biometrics unchanged, interview moved… but what now?’
Another applicant said his interview had been pushed by four months, but his biometrics stayed where they were. “My biometric was on 18th Dec and interview on 23rd Dec, which was rescheduled in April. The biometric is unchanged,” he wrote. The Reddit user is now stuck in a tricky situation. He has not travelled to India yet, so he cannot attend biometrics. But if he doesn’t show up, he fears his whole application may expire. “If I don’t reschedule my biometric and keep it as it is, it will be counted as no show… Should I cancel the biometric?” “Will I be able to get an April biometric slot? Please advise.”
For many like him, nothing is clear, not what to cancel, not what to keep, and definitely not what the consulates are planning next.
‘Interview moved to July 2026 — should I no-show or cancel?’
A third user said his interview was moved more than six months out, even though his biometrics were kept on the original date. “Original Biometric: Dec 16, Original Interview: Dec 23, New Interview Date: July 7, 2026,” he posted.
The Reddit user is currently in the US and has dropped plans to travel. But now he’s worried about what happens if he simply does not attend biometrics or if he cancels online. “If I do a ‘No Show’, will I lose my visa fee? Will I be able to book another appointment later?” “If I cancel online, can I use the same receipt later?”
His questions are shared by thousands of others, because no official guidance explains what these cancellations really mean for visa fees, receipts, or future appointments.
Why all this chaos? New US social-media checks
This confusion started after the US State Department began checking social media accounts of H-1B and H-4 applicants. The rule existed for student visas, but now it applies to skilled workers as well. US consulates in India have begun postponing interviews that were scheduled for mid- and late December. This is one of the busiest visa periods in India, which has made the disruption even more painful for families travelling home for the holidays.
One thing the US consulates have made clear is that VAC biometrics appointments have not changed. Even if your interview was pushed by months or even a year, your biometrics date is still active and accepted.
What’s more concerning is that H-1B workers cannot try for interviews in another country. In September, the State Department made it compulsory for temporary visa holders to attend interviews only in their home country.
(This story is based on a post shared by a social media user. The details, opinions, and statements quoted herein belong solely to the original poster and do not reflect the views of Financialexpress.com. We have not independently verified the claims.)
