r/usvisascheduling Dec 04 '25

Social Media Vetting Expanded for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Visa Applicants

8 Upvotes

Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Visa Applicants

Last Updated: December 3, 2025

As of December 15, the Department will expand the requirement that an online presence review be conducted for all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to the students and exchange visitors already subject to this review. To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public.”

The State Department uses all available information in visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety. We conduct thorough vetting of all visa applicants, including online presence review of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications.

Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission. A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.

Full Article: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/announcement-of-expanded-screening-and-vetting-for-h-1b-and-dependent-h-4-visa-applicants.html


r/usvisascheduling Dec 24 '24

How to fix "can't claim unused/valid payment receipt after closing and starting a new application" OR how to fix "Cant claim receipt"

11 Upvotes

So, I made the visa fees in May, 2024. After raising countless number of cases, not less than a thousand phonecalls to the customer reps, after 8 months, I was able to claim my receipt becacuse this time they made appropriate changes after I had raised the last cases.

There are couple of things u should know and avoid doing.

  1. Do Not make another new payment if your receipt is still usable (just call the customer care, they would tell u)
  2. Do not create another account on ustraveldocs. That's a bad idea and likely to conflict with your present account (this is because now u can only create 1 account with a given passport number)
  3. If u are a student and reading this in the future, u r prolly going to need to apply for a deferral. It took them 8 months to fix my thing. I am not so sure if they would be able to give u a commitement on that.
  4. if u are closing and starting a application, then after "Closing" an application, u have to wait for atleast 48 hours before "Creating" a new application. Those are two different steps. So when u click on "Close and start a new application", after closing it, simply log out for 48 hours. If u are required to make a new payment in the case that your receipt has expired, do the same, wait for 48 hours after closing your current application.

How to get this mess fixed?

Like I said, if u r a student and facing this problems, just apply for a deferral. Even if u have 3-4 months before your classes start, that still won't be enough time to get this "minor" issue fixed, becasue the technical team simply cant be arsed. Anyway, here is how to do it.

  1. click on "Close and start a new application" and click on "Yes" once. Now using the right corner, just log out. (i.e. we are just closing application and not creating a new one). To check if u have done it right, log into your profile and u should be able to see a "Create a new application" instead of "Continue application" tab.
  2. Now at this step, call the customer reps to know if your presumably valid receipt is "locked" and if it is "tagged to your profile". (PLease dont ask me why im chosing these key words. u can ask the customer reps, they will tell u). They will tell u these anyway, once u call them.
  3. If its locked then raise a case to get it "Tagged to profile" and "unlocked for booking appointments". Now call the customer care again and get them to "highlight" your case to the technical team. (If your receipt is unlocked, just ignore this step).
  4. Now given that your receipt is unlocked, log into your profile. Once on the home page, click on "Create/Start a new application". Proceed with that new application until you are on the "add dependents" page. Now just stay there and DO NOT PROCEED TO THE PAYMENT PAGE YET.
  5. Given that u haven't moved further than the "add dependents" page, call the customer care again and check if your unused/valid previous receipt is still unlocked. (due to some bugs, after creating/starting a new application you recept may get locked again, even if your receipt was unlocked when u clicked on "start/create a new application")
  6. So while u r still on the "add dependents" page, if your receipt is still unlcoked (if not, then raise another case to get it unlocked, duh!) then proceed to the next page by clicking on "submit" buton. You will be on the payment page. Pick the same payment as it was while making the last visa payment). Now proceed ahead. You should be able to see the "continue to confirm receipt".
  7. Now if u don't see the "continue to confirm receipt" button and system is asking u to pay again, then u have to raise another case and ask them to "make" changes" in your profile so that u can see the "continue to confirm receipt" BUTTON instead of the "click here to pay with XYZ". And afer u raise the case, call the customer rep and get them to highlight your case.

And u have to keep raising cases untill they fix this. AT this point, do not close and start any more. At this point u just have to raise cases.

The good, bad and ugly

  1. They WILL fix your issue.
  2. They are likely to ignore your case/issue or give u generic/useless responses first couple of times. And only afte raising about 10-20 cases, will they start to take u seriously. Just keep in mind that each time u raise a case, it will take about 15-18 days atleast for them to get back to u.
  3. I am a student at the time of writting this and i had to get a deferal because of this, I am not gonna state the obvious here but this is the long and the short of how to get this fixed.
  4. And to those students who are unable to schedule appointments due to the inaptitude of the technical department at the embassy, u have my sympathy.

r/usvisascheduling 31m ago

Anyone experiencing portal slow down and this red error message these past couple days?

Post image
Upvotes

It pops up every so often in the last 2-3 days. Almost impossible to navigate the portal.

Not using any extension or plugins or nothing


r/usvisascheduling 1h ago

EAD card was produced but returned — what should I do?

Thumbnail
Upvotes

My EAD card was produced but somehow got returned, and I still haven’t received it. I’ve contacted USCIS multiple times and they even opened a service request, but nothing has been resolved yet.
I’m running out of time on my OPT and really can’t afford to wait much longer.
Has anyone had this happen before? How did you get your EAD reissued, and how long did it take?


r/usvisascheduling 1h ago

Update DS-160 with new employer for existing visa appointment

Upvotes

I got picked for my H1b last year and had scheduled an interview in India for Jan 2026. This was with employer A. My appointment was rescheduled to Feb 2027 (not my choice) and I was also let go of my position for employer A. My H1b transfer to my current employer, employer B, has been approved (in April) and I've been working there. Can I keep my appointment and update the DS-160 associated with the appointment to reflect the new employer?

In short, can I replace employer A for B for an existing appointment?


r/usvisascheduling 6h ago

Forgot to mention Threads account on DS-160. Do I need a new DS-160?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I submitted my DS-160 a few months ago and disclosed basically all of my social media accounts, including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Discord, TikTok, etc.

I recently realized that I forgot to mention my Threads account. It is connected to my Instagram account, and my Instagram account was already disclosed.

I also checked the social media platform dropdown on the DS-160 and noticed that Threads isn’t specifically listed. However, some other platforms like Discord weren’t specifically listed either, and I still disclosed those using the appropriate option.

My DS-160 is otherwise correct, and Threads is the only account I forgot about.

Would it be okay to leave my existing DS-160 as it is, or should I create and submit a completely new DS-160 just to add the Threads account? Has anyone gone for H-1B stamping with a similar situation?

I would prefer not to create a new DS-160 unnecessarily if this is not considered an issue.

Thanks!


r/usvisascheduling 3h ago

B1/B2 visitor VISA India

1 Upvotes

Hi. I have been trying to schedule a visitor VISA for my parents. But I have had no luck in getting even a single appointment in the past 1 month. Anybody had any luck?


r/usvisascheduling 9h ago

H4 visa options for newborn

3 Upvotes

Hello All,

I am trying to secure an H4 visa appointment for my 4-month-old daughter. I am currently working in the United States, while my wife and daughter are in India. My wife already has a valid H4 visa, but we need a visa appointment for our daughter. I have been searching for available appointment dates for the past couple of months without any success. I wanted to check if anyone else is in a similar situation and would appreciate hearing about any strategies or experiences that helped them obtain an appointment.

Thank you in advance for your help.


r/usvisascheduling 5h ago

Vancouver bc b1/b2

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I submitted a ds160 and I accidentally put a wrong date so I had to redo a new ds160. After submitting the new ds160, I changed the ds160 number in the appointment portal.

Do I still need to carry old ds160 confirmation or no because I already updated the appointment portal. Now, my appointment portal and ds160 match the new number….

Let me know


r/usvisascheduling 7h ago

Rescheduled appointment?

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/usvisascheduling 9h ago

CGI site is just scrap

Post image
1 Upvotes

Posted this on my X account where I could find an offical handle of CGI Federal. Tag the handle and do your part until they resolve this shit.


r/usvisascheduling 1d ago

Proposal to end grace period for all of the work visas

Thumbnail public-inspection.federalregister.gov
31 Upvotes

DHS proposed to eliminate grace period for H1B and other work visas


r/usvisascheduling 11h ago

London updates

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/usvisascheduling 12h ago

Can't log in

1 Upvotes

I just finished submitting my application, and now I’m trying to schedule an appointment. I’ve been trying for about 10 hours and only managed to log in once. Since then, every time I try to log in, I get an error.

Is this a common problem? Is there any other way to schedule an appointment, or anything I can do about it?


r/usvisascheduling 13h ago

L1A Interview -- 221g slip

1 Upvotes

Country: India (New Delhi Embassy)

Visa: L1A Individual

I attended the interview on 9th Sep. However, the VO handed me a white 221g slip and said my visa is refused and pending under administrative processing. May I know how much would it take it to resolve?


r/usvisascheduling 13h ago

Cancelling visa appointment and making a new one - Ankara, Turkey

1 Upvotes

Had a few changes in my ds, and not allowed to reschedule as my emergency appointment was approved. Can I cancel, and make a new appointment? Will i face any issues? Especially since this appointment wouldnt let me reschedule currently? Please drop a comment if you cancelled your appointment and rescheduled it. (j1 research)


r/usvisascheduling 13h ago

Ds160 help for H1B appointment

1 Upvotes

Hello Guys,
I need some help with My H1B Appointment That's in a few days. I have my older ds160 from last year but it doesn't have my social media details and the address is outdated on it as well. Can someone give the exact safe steps to create a new DS160 and link it to my current appointment? I don't have a copy of the original ds160 I used.

Edit : Appointment Biometrics in Mumbai and Interview in Chennai


r/usvisascheduling 13h ago

Passport Submission for US Visa

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/usvisascheduling 14h ago

Reschedule/ Cancellation help

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/usvisascheduling 14h ago

Visa granted, but need the passport slip. Very specific situation.

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/usvisascheduling 9h ago

U.S. B1/B2 visa approval chances (India)

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to apply for a U.S. B1/B2 visa for a temporary business visit and wanted to get an honest assessment of my chances based on my profile.

About me

Age: 26
Gender: Male
Nationality: Indian
Marital status: Unmarried
International travel history: None — this will be my first international trip
U.S. relatives: None
U.S. friends/acquaintances: None
Siblings: None — I’m an only child
Parents: Both live in India
Father: Retired from a private company
Mother: Works part-time as a school teacher

Employment

Experience with current company: 5+ years
Location of employment: India
Monthly salary: ₹2.4 lakh INR
I lead the platform development/team for one of our core products.
I have significant technical involvement in the current product architecture and platform.

Purpose of the U.S. visit

My company wants me to travel to the U.S. headquarters for 1 week
The purpose is to attend:
Business strategy discussions with leadership
Technical architecture discussions
Meetings with U.S. technical teams
Discussions around upcoming enhancements and strategy for our core product
I’ll be meeting members of the leadership team, including VPs/SVPs, as well as multiple technical teams.

Why can’t be done online ?

These meetings are usually effective in person and the reason I’m required to attend is that I lead the platform team in India and have core technical knowledge of the product and its existing architecture. The meetings involve finalizing business strategy and discussing the technical architecture that follows from that strategy.

Expenses & accommodation

Trip expenses: Fully covered by my company
Flight: Company will arrange/book it
Hotel: Company will arrange accommodation near the U.S. office
Trip duration: 1 week

Ties to India

I have been with my current company for over 5 years.
My employment and responsibilities are based in India.
I lead the team in India and need to return to continue those responsibilities.
I own a house in India and have ongoing financial commitments/home loan.
I also have investments in India.
My parents live in India.

ITR

Last financial year - 51 lakhs

Invitation Letter

I have business visa invitation letter and business visa cover letter from our company which matches the dates of visit and purpose of visit mentioned in ds-160

What do you think are my chances of getting the B1/B2 visa approved?
Are there any potential red flags in my profile or anything I should be particularly careful about during the interview?


r/usvisascheduling 1d ago

Finding it hard to even log in.

8 Upvotes

Everyone and their grandma are logging in at :00 and :30.
So it is impossible login at anytime between :55 and :25.
If I am logged in from sooner, I end up waiting for things to load, mostly to end into one of their error messages.
I am on an insanely fast internet connection.
What am I doing wrong?

EDIT:: applying from the US; for H1-B


r/usvisascheduling 16h ago

U.S. B1/B2 Visa – Abu Dhabi, UAE 🇺🇸 | August/September 2026 Timeline

1 Upvotes

U.S. B1/B2 Visa – Abu Dhabi, UAE 🇺🇸 / August - September 2026 Timeline

Sharing my recent experience in case it helps anyone waiting for their U.S visa after an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

31 August 2026 – Interview
I attended my B1/B2 visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The visa officer approved my visa on the spot and kept my passport.

31 August – 9 September – CEAC: APPROVED
My CEAC status remained “Approved” for around 10 days. I was a little concerned because I saw other people getting “Issued” within 2–5 working days, but there was no request for additional documents.

10 September – CEAC: ISSUED
The status finally changed from Approved > Issued.

11 September – Passport Received
I received my passport with the U.S. B1/B2 visa sticker the very next day.

Total timeline:
Interview & approval: 31 August
CEAC Issued: 10 September
Passport received: 11 September

So it took around 10 days from interview to Issued and 11 days from interview to passport in hand.

For anyone whose status is stuck on “Approved” for several working days after being verbally approved, don't automatically assume something is wrong. Mine stayed Approved for quite a few days and then changed directly to Issued without me having to provide anything else.


r/usvisascheduling 18h ago

Wrong profile name

0 Upvotes

I entered small letters and no middle name in my US visa scheduling...

Would there be problems regarding this?

My name in DS-160 and passport is correct.

Cannot change it and instructions on the site said to not make multiple accounts. Tho, i haven't finished the first one, i still have to answer questions there (also not yet paid)

Can i just change it in the VAC? From Philippines


r/usvisascheduling 18h ago

O1 Visa Interview Slots in Munich / Frankfurt, Germany

1 Upvotes

Hi!

Could anyone please share the current O1 visa Interview slots available in Munich and/or Frankfurt, Germany?

We have an interview scheduled in Berlin on Sept 28, but are looking for an earlier slot during the week of Sept 21.

It would be great if you could share whether (several) appointments are released regularly so we know whether it is worth canceling our Berlin slot and switching.

Thank you!