US to begin social media screening for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants from December 15

US to begin social media screening for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants from December 15

The Trump administration has announced that enhanced screening, including social media checks, will apply to all H-1B work visa applicants and their H-4 dependents starting December 15. The measures extend practices already in place for F, M, and J visa holders, including international students and exchange visitors.

In a directive, the US State Department instructed, “To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public’.”

Several H-1B holders in India have already had their visa interviews postponed to accommodate this new social media screening process. The move comes as part of the Trump administration’s broader focus on immigration regulation and national security.

The State Department emphasized, “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. We conduct thorough vetting of all visa applicants, including online presence review of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications.”

Officials clarified that visas are a privilege, not a right. “The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests,” the department stated.

The enhanced screening particularly affects Indian nationals, a significant group among H-1B visa holders, who are typically employed in the US technology and healthcare sectors. Earlier measures, including a one-time $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas and pauses on green card applications for certain nationals, have already intensified scrutiny of skilled foreign workers.

Amid the screening changes, H-1B and H-4 visa holders in the US reportedly received emails notifying them of “prudential revocation” of their temporary working visas. Immigration experts clarified that such revocations are precautionary and do not affect lawful stay in the US.

Must read: H-1B, H-4 visa holders receive ‘prudential revocation’ emails amid US screening expansion: What it is and how it impacts Indians

Immigration attorney Emily Neumann noted, “A revocation does not affect lawful stay in the United States, but it means the issue will be reexamined at the next visa appointment. Hard to see how this is an efficient use of government resources when the incident was already previously vetted.”

Prudential visa revocation is used when authorities suspect potential issues with eligibility before a final determination. According to the Reddy Neumann Brown PC law firm, it is a temporary measure that “prevents the individual from re-entering the US until the underlying issue is fixed” and prompts a reassessment during future visa appointments.

The State Department stressed that it employs all available information to identify applicants who might pose security or safety risks. “We continuously check visa holders to ensure they follow all U.S. laws and immigration rules – and we will revoke their visas and deport them if they don’t,” the department added.

These new procedures mark the latest effort by the Trump administration to tighten immigration oversight and ensure that visa issuance aligns with US national security priorities.