US EditionUS Will Begin Social Media Screening to H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants From Dec 15
All H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J visa applicants must make social media profiles public for national security checks, causing interview delays up to five months, officials said.
- Starting December 15, the State Department will expand 'online presence review' to all H‑1B, H‑4, F, M, and J visa applicants, instructing them to set social media to 'public' for vetting, a spokesperson said.
- The policy builds on President Donald Trump's proclamation requiring employers to pay '$100,000 t' for most H‑1B filings, reflecting broader immigration and workforce priorities, the Department of Homeland Security said.
- U.S. embassies told many visa applicants their appointments were moved months ahead, with some scheduled next week pushed to late May and a Chennai consular post appointment auto-rescheduled to April 30, 2026.
- Employers, recruiters and HR teams now face new compliance work to scan visa applicants' online presence, while the mass cancellations are expected to cause significant delays and many applicants post anonymously about their ordeals.
- Seen together, the measures position social‑media screening as a permanent part of visa adjudication, with the State Department and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services expanding reviews that will affect many Indian H‑1B beneficiaries.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Trump administration begins social media screening of H-1B visa holders from today— here's what to expect
Trump administration began social media screening of H-1B visa holders from today. The State Department mentioned that it conducts comprehensive vetting of all visa applicants, which includes reviewing the online presence of students and exchange visitors in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant categories.
Firstpost News
US will begin social media screening to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants from Dec 15
The Trump administration will begin on Monday enhanced screening and vetting of H1B and its dependent H4 visa applicants, including checks of their social media profiles.
New US Visa Rule: US Expands Online Presence Checks for H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants
The United States has expanded its review of social media and online presence to cover all H-1B speciality occupation workers and their H-4 dependents, the US Embassy in India said on Wednesday. The move comes as several applicants in India received emails informing them that their visa appointments had been rescheduled. New US Visa Rule: US Expands Online Presence Checks for H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants.
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