If you have a U.S. visa stamping appointment in India (especially H-1B or H-4), you may want to double-check your appointment details before you finalize travel.
We are seeing reports that, starting around December 8, 2025, some applicants received notices that their consular interviews scheduled on or after December 15, 2025 were changed by the system, with many moved to March 2026. In the notices being reported, applicants are instructed not to appear for the original interview date and to attend only the new date shown in the visa appointment portal.
Why is this happening?
The explanation being circulated is that the U.S. Department of State is implementing an expanded online presence review process, and consular posts may be adjusting interview capacity to accommodate these additional steps. Whether you are a principal applicant (H-1B) or a dependent (H-4), it appears that some appointments may be affected.
What this could mean for you
A rescheduled interview can create real-world issues quickly, including:
- Longer time in India than expected
- Work and return-to-U.S. timing problems
- School or family schedule disruptions
- Employer planning concerns, especially if you were expecting a quick turnaround
What you should do now
If you have upcoming stamping plans, consider these practical steps:
- Log into your visa appointment portal and confirm your current interview date (and print/save the latest appointment confirmation).
- Review whether your VAC/biometrics appointment is still valid and unchanged (some reports indicate VAC appointments may remain valid even if the interview date changes).
- If your interview was moved and you have urgent travel needs, plan proactively—including discussing timing and backup options with your employer.
- If travel is optional, you may want to delay travel until your interview timing is confirmed.
How NPZ Law Group can help
If your appointment was rescheduled—or you are planning H-1B/H-4 stamping in India soon—our team can review your case, identify risks, and help you plan next steps.
Contact Information
If you or your family members have any questions about how immigration and nationality laws in the United States may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 extension 104. We also invite you to visit our website at www.visaserve.com for more information.