The US State Department’s new online presence review, which began on 15 December 2025, has led to widespread delays and cancellations of H-1B and H-4 visa appointments.
The policy, designed to enhance security, now requires applicants to share five years of social media history and set their profiles to public.
This has added complexity to the visa process, leading to frustration for applicants across Africa and other regions.
Heightened Security Scrutiny Delays Appointments
The online presence review aims to identify potential security risks and inconsistencies in visa applications.
However, its implementation has created backlogs in visa interviews, with many appointments postponed into 2026. Applicants who fail to comply with the new rules risk visa denials or further delays.
In countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, the impact has been especially pronounced. Reduced consular capacity combined with stricter vetting has made scheduling appointments more difficult, leaving many travellers uncertain about their plans.
Regional Impacts Across Africa
South Africa has experienced significant slowdowns. Work and study visa applicants face extended waiting times as consulates adjust to the new requirements, with H-1B visas in particular delayed by several months.
Egypt is also seeing slower processing. Applicants must now provide detailed social media records, and the limited number of interview slots has pushed many appointments well into 2026.
Nigeria, one of the largest sources of US visa applications in Africa, has seen sharp increases in administrative processing (221(g)). H-1B and H-4 applicants now face longer waits and added scrutiny, causing widespread frustration.
Kenya is experiencing moderate delays as applicants navigate the new social media disclosure rules. Many visa approvals have been postponed due to increased vetting.
Ghana, Senegal, Uganda, and Tanzania are all affected. Applicants for work-related visas are encountering longer wait times and administrative processing that can stretch for months, making travel planning unpredictable.
Uncertainty for Applicants Worldwide
While the online presence review is intended to strengthen US national security, its rollout has created significant disruption for visa applicants globally.
The new requirements are particularly challenging for those applying for H-1B and H-4 visas, introducing additional steps and delays that many travellers were not expecting.
As appointments continue to be rescheduled into 2026, applicants from Africa and beyond face growing uncertainty, complicating both work and study plans in the United States.