Washington: The United States will begin examining the social media activity of applicants seeking H-1B work visas and H-4 dependent visas starting December 15, marking a significant expansion of its immigration screening process under the Trump administration.
According to a new directive issued by the US State Department, consular officers will now review the online presence of all H-1B applicants as well as their dependents. Until now, such scrutiny was primarily limited to student and exchange visitor categories.
Under the updated guidelines, individuals applying for H-1B, H-4, and student or exchange visas — including F, M and J categories — have been instructed to change the privacy settings of their social media accounts to “public” to enable officials to conduct background checks.
The department said the measure builds on existing vetting procedures already in place for students and exchange visitors and reflects a broader effort to assess applicants using digital footprints alongside traditional documentation.
The announcement has already had an impact on visa processing. Several H-1B applicants in India have reportedly seen their interview appointments postponed as US missions adjust to the new screening requirements.
Reiterating its long-standing position, the State Department emphasized that entry into the United States is not an entitlement. Officials said visa decisions are made after reviewing all available information to determine whether an applicant poses a risk to national security or public safety.
“Each visa application is assessed as a matter of national security,” the department said, adding that applicants must clearly demonstrate their eligibility and intention to comply with the terms of their visa.
The move is the latest in a series of steps taken by the Trump administration to tighten immigration controls, particularly for employment-based and temporary visa categories, as part of a broader push for stricter oversight of foreign nationals entering the country.
