US Consulate Chennai Reopens: Updated Rules & Guidelines

The US Consulate General Chennai has officially announced the reopening of visa application services, effective Thursday, October 23, 2025. This comes after temporary service disruptions and new security measures introduced by the US government earlier this year.

In an official post on X, the consulate stated, “US Consulate General Chennai will re-open and restart visa application processing services on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Only applicants with appointments scheduled for October 23 may come in on that date.”

Applicants whose interviews were canceled due to the October 22 service closure are now being rescheduled. The consulate confirmed that “Every applicant will receive further information with the rescheduled interview appointment details.” For assistance with individual appointments, applicants are advised to contact the Visa Application Center (VAC) at support-india@usvisascheduling.com.

In addition, American Citizen Services will resume operations on the morning of October 23. However, due to the lapse in appropriations, offices such as the American Center Chennai, EducationUSA, and USIEF will remain closed to the public.

US Consulate Chennai: New Social Media Screening Guidelines for F, M, and J Visas

The resumption of services follows the US government’s June 23 announcement to strengthen visa screening procedures. All applicants for F (student), M (vocational student), or J (exchange visitor) non-immigrant visas are now required to make all personal social media accounts public to facilitate identity verification and vetting.

The official US Embassy India handle (@USAndIndia) clarified on X: “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to public to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States.”

Since 2019, visa applicants have also been required to submit social media identifiers on both immigrant and non-immigrant visa application forms. These measures are intended to identify individuals who may be inadmissible or pose a national security threat.

US Travel Ban Update and Indian Visa Status

Alongside new visa screening measures, the US government implemented a broad travel ban in 2025. The policy imposes a full visa ban on nationals from twelve countries and partial restrictions on seven others, primarily targeting high-risk nations in the Middle East and Africa.

Importantly, India is not affected by the 2025 travel ban. Indian citizens can continue to apply for B1/B2 tourist visas, H1B work permits, F1 student visas, and other categories. However, applicants face significant delays due to high demand, with many US consulates in India scheduling interviews up to 10–12 months in advance.

US Consulate Chennai: What Applicants Should Do

1. Check Rescheduled Appointments: If your appointment was canceled on October 22, watch for the official reschedule email.

2. Adjust Social Media Settings: Ensure all personal social media accounts are public if applying for F, M, or J visas.

3. Contact VAC for Assistance: Direct inquiries to support-india@usvisascheduling.com.

4. Plan Ahead: Expect long wait times due to high applicant volumes and administrative backlog.

Also Read : New Chinese Visas to Poach US Talent, House Democrat Warns