Stricter Rules for H-1B Visa Applicants: Social Media Activity Review Begins Today, Here’s the Impact
New York (The Uttam Hindu): The Trump administration has tightened scrutiny of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants by expanding background checks to include social media activity. Under the new directive, which comes into effect from Monday, applicants’ online presence will be reviewed as part of the visa process. This rule will apply to all H-1B visa applicants and their dependents who file applications after December 15.
Until now, social media screening was mainly limited to student visa applicants. With this change, H-1B and H-4 applicants are also included. The US administration has instructed visa officers to review applicants’ online behavior and social media profiles, and applicants may be required to keep their profiles public for verification purposes.
The US State Department has stated that obtaining a US visa is a privilege, not a right, and thorough screening is necessary to protect national security. According to the department, social media reviews help identify individuals who could pose potential security risks to the country.
The State Department further clarified that all visa categories—including F, M, and J student visas and exchange visitor programs—are subject to comprehensive vetting before approval. Authorities ensure that applicants’ intentions do not conflict with US national interests. Notably, Indian professionals form the largest group of H-1B visa holders. In September, the Trump administration had already increased the H-1B visa fee to $100,000. During the 2024 financial year, India received around 80,500 new H-1B visas, indicating that Indian applicants may be most affected by the new measures.
In addition, the US is considering another proposal that would require tourist and business travelers to disclose their social media activity from the past five years. If implemented, this could also impact citizens of visa-free travel countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Japan, and Australia.