The U.S. Department of State has announced a significant expansion of visa screening procedures that now requires mandatory review of social media accounts for all H‑1B visa applicants and their H‑4 dependent family members. This policy came into effect on December 15, 2025, and is being implemented at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide as part of regular visa adjudication processes.
Under the expanded rules:
- Social media and other online presence will be reviewed by consular officers as part of visa eligibility and background checks during the consular interview process.
- Applicants are required to set the privacy settings on all social media profiles to “public” so that consular officers can access and evaluate publicly available content.
- This requirement mirrors earlier screening measures that were previously applied to student (F, M, J) visa categories, and now applies to the employment‑based H‑1B and dependent H‑4 categories as well.
The U.S. government says that the online presence review helps visa officers verify the identity of applicants, evaluate their background, and assess whether they pose any risks to national security or public safety. Officials view a visa as a privilege and use all available information — including social media activity — in the visa screening process.
Impact on Applicants
The expanded vetting has had several effects:
- Visa interview delays and rescheduling: U.S. consulates in india have rescheduled or canceled many H‑1B and H‑4 visa appointments to allow time for social media reviews, with some dates pushed back to early 2026.
- Longer processing times: Embassies have warned applicants of delays and advised them to apply well in advance of planned travel dates.
- Privacy concerns: Applicants and immigration attorneys have raised concerns about privacy and the implications of making personal social media profiles public.
Practical Guidance for H‑1B Applicants
If you are applying for a U.S. H‑1B visa or renewal:
- Ensure that you list all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years on your visa application (DS‑160), as required.
- Adjust privacy settings on all accounts to public so that consular officers can view your online content during the review process.
- Be prepared for additional processing time and potential delays while online presence checks are completed.
This policy is part of broader efforts by the U.S. to tighten immigration screening and ensure thorough background checks for foreign workers entering the country under the H‑1B program.
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