South Africa and Egypt Join Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, and More in Africa May Face Significant Travel Changes as US Government Set to Cancel Visa Appointments Due to Online Presence Review: Everything You Need to Know

Published on December 13, 2025

US State Department’s new online presence review, starting December 15, 2025, has caused significant delays and cancellations for H-1B and H-4 visa appointments, impacting global applicants due to heightened security vetting. As part of the policy, applicants are required to disclose five years of social media history and set their profiles to “public” to undergo enhanced scrutiny. This new requirement aims to bolster security by identifying risks such as national security threats or inconsistent behavior with visa types. However, it has resulted in a backlog of visa interviews, with many rescheduled into 2026, creating frustration for applicants from countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and others. The policy’s introduction has added complexity to the visa process, with non-compliance potentially leading to visa denials or further delays in processing. This article delves into the ripple effects of this policy and the challenges it presents for U.S. visa applicants worldwide.

Cancellation and Rescheduling of Visa Appointments Due to Online Presence Review

In early December 2025, some H-1B and H-4 visa appointments were canceled and rescheduled due to the U.S. State Department’s new online presence review. Starting December 15, 2025, applicants must disclose five years of social media history and set profiles to “public” for security vetting. This has caused significant delays in visa interviews, with new dates often pushed into 2026. Non-compliance may lead to visa denials or processing delays, adding complexity to the visa process.

South Africa: Slowdowns as Increased Vetting Takes Effect

South Africa, a key country in U.S. visa processing for Sub-Saharan Africa, is facing significant slowdowns due to the new online presence review policy. The increased scrutiny of applicants’ social media profiles has led to delays in visa approvals, particularly for work and study visas. The U.S. consulate in South Africa has had to adjust its procedures, reducing available interview slots and pushing many appointments into 2026. This has created a backlog of applicants, leading to extended waiting times and frustration. South African travelers applying for H-1B visas, in particular, may experience delays of several months due to the added security checks.

Egypt: Slower Visa Processing Due to New Review Policy

Egypt, a key country in U.S. visa processing for North Africa, is experiencing slower processing times due to the new online presence review policy. The requirement to disclose five years of social media history and set profiles to “public” has introduced additional steps in the visa application process. As a result, many Egyptian applicants are now facing delays, especially for work and student visas. The consular capacity in Egypt is limited, and applicants are now dealing with reduced interview availability and longer wait times. These delays are expected to continue well into 2026, making it more difficult for Egyptians to secure timely visa appointments.

Nigeria: Significant Delays and Increased Scrutiny

Nigeria, one of the largest sources of U.S. visa applicants in Africa, is facing significant delays due to the U.S. Department of State’s new online presence review policy. Nigerian applicants, particularly those applying for H-1B and H-4 visas, are now subject to heightened scrutiny of their social media profiles. This has led to longer processing times, with many interviews being rescheduled into 2026. The additional vetting process has resulted in more administrative processing (221(g)), further extending the wait for visa approval. The uncertainty surrounding visa applications has caused frustration among Nigerian travelers, especially as consular resources are stretched thin due to increased demand.

Kenya: Processing Delays as Social Media Scrutiny Intensifies

Kenya is experiencing moderate delays as the new online presence review policy is implemented. Kenyan applicants for U.S. visas, especially those applying for work-related visas like H-1B, are now facing additional scrutiny of their social media activity. The requirement to disclose five years of social media history and make profiles public has added a layer of complexity to the application process. This increased vetting has led to longer processing times and more instances of 221(g) administrative processing, pushing many visa approvals into 2026. Applicants are now facing uncertainty as their visa appointments are rescheduled, affecting travel plans.

Ghana: Increased Waiting Times Amid Stricter Security Checks

Ghana is also facing delays due to the U.S. State Department’s new online presence review policy. The increased scrutiny on applicants’ social media profiles has contributed to a slowdown in the visa application process, with many applicants now facing longer wait times. Ghanaian applicants for H-1B and other work-related visas are particularly affected by the added administrative processing (221(g)), which can delay visa approvals by several months. While mass cancellations haven’t been as widespread as in other countries, the new requirements have made the process more cumbersome and unpredictable for Ghanaian travelers.

Senegal: Impact of Online Presence Review Causes Delays

Senegal is experiencing delays in the U.S. visa process due to the new online presence review policy. Senegalese applicants, particularly those applying for business or work-related visas, are now required to disclose their social media history and make profiles public for security vetting. This added layer of scrutiny has led to longer processing times, with many applicants now facing rescheduled interviews in 2026. The delays are particularly notable for those applying for H-1B visas, as these applicants often undergo additional administrative processing. This has created uncertainty and frustration among travelers from Senegal who are hoping to visit or work in the U.S.

Uganda: Increased Delays as U.S. Tightens Security Measures

Uganda is facing growing delays as the U.S. government’s online presence review policy takes effect. Ugandan applicants for U.S. visas are now required to disclose five years of social media history and make profiles public for enhanced security vetting. The heightened scrutiny has caused significant delays, with many visa appointments being rescheduled into 2026. Applicants are facing additional administrative processing (221(g)), which further extends the wait time for visa approvals. As the consular capacity in Uganda is limited, these delays are expected to continue, creating challenges for travelers trying to make timely travel plans.

Tanzania: Slowed Processing Times Due to New Scrutiny Measures

Tanzania is also experiencing delays due to the U.S. Department of State’s new online presence review policy. Applicants from Tanzania, especially those applying for work-related visas, are now subject to heightened scrutiny of their social media activity. The requirement to disclose five years of social media history and make profiles public for vetting has caused delays in the visa approval process. Many Tanzanian applicants are now facing administrative processing (221(g)), which can extend the wait time for visa approvals by several months. As consular resources are stretched thinner due to increased demand, applicants are facing longer delays and uncertainty regarding their visa appointments.

US State Department’s new online presence review, starting December 15, 2025, has caused significant delays and cancellations for H-1B and H-4 visa appointments, impacting global applicants due to heightened security vetting.

Conclusion

The cancellation and rescheduling of visa appointments due to the U.S. State Department’s new online presence review have created significant disruptions in the visa process. Starting December 15, 2025, the requirement for applicants to disclose five years of social media history and set profiles to “public” for enhanced security vetting has caused delays, with many appointments being pushed into 2026. This added scrutiny aims to strengthen national security, but it has also led to frustration and uncertainty for applicants worldwide, complicating the visa process and travel plans for many.