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US has made social media screening mandatory for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. Private social media accounts will also have to be made public from December 15. Scrutiny of digital activities can lead to visa rejection. Experts say that this will further slow down the visa process for Indian professionals.
America has made the H-1B and H-4 visa process more stringent. From December 15, all applicants will have to undergo social media screening. The US State Department released this information late Wednesday night. Now, before the visa interview, H-1B workers and their families i.e. H-4 dependents will have to make their social media accounts ‘public’, so that US officials can investigate their online activities. Immigration experts say that this is a major expansion of America’s digital footprint policy. According to Mitch Wexler, senior counsel at global immigration law firm Fragomen, these checks were applicable in F, M and J visa categories from June 2025. Now adding H-1B and H-4 is being considered as the first major expansion of this policy.
Wexler said applicants’ posts, likes, interactions and overall digital activity will be closely monitored. According to the State Department, visa officers will check information available in social media profiles, public posts and online databases. The department reminded that ‘every visa adjudication is a national security decision.’ And the US visa is not a right, but a privilege.
What mistakes can entangle Visa?
Internal guidelines issued in June also said officials could draw negative conclusions if an applicant has kept any part of social media private or has no online presence. Officials will also check whether any statement contains animosity towards American citizens, institutions or culture, support for any terrorist group, or any indication of misuse of American technology. Any such content may lead to a follow-up interview, lengthy background check or visa rejection.
Experts say that these new rules will have the biggest impact on Indians, especially IT professionals who are the largest category of H-1B visa. According to USCIS data, about 80,500 new H-1B visas were given to Indians in the financial year 2024, while China was in second place, where this number was only 19,600.
What could be the problem?
Wexler warned that increased scrutiny would increase pressure on consulates and could prolong background checks, causing delays in visa issuance. This can become a big problem for those professionals who have to reach America on their joining date.
