The US Embassy in India has issued a stern advisory to visa applicants, days after widespread scheduling changes. In a post on its official X account, the US Embassy in India warned that anyone turning up at the embassy or consulates on their original appointment date after receiving an email about a reschedule will be denied entry.
The X post states, “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 admittance to the Embassy or Consulate.”
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
Why are appointments being changed?
The advisory comes amid a wave of visa-appointment postponements, especially for applicants under H-1B, H-4 and other categories, triggered by changes in the US visa screening process.
According to reports, the US government has recently expanded social-media vetting and added new security protocols, compelling consular offices in India to reshuffle their interview schedules. This has led to a backlog and forced many interviews, originally slated for December 2025, to be deferred to early 2026.
What applicants should know
Visa seekers are advised to:
- Check their emails carefully for any rescheduled appointment notification.
- Avoid visiting consulates on old dates, as entry will be refused.
- Prepare to attend only on the new date specified in the email or confirmation slip.
- The embassy said it remains committed to assisting applicants on their new appointment dates and urged patience and vigilance as the schedule adjustments take effect.
