US H-1B, H-4 Visa Holders Face New Social Media Screening from Dec 15

The US Department of State has announced a significant update to the visa application process for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. Starting December 15, all applicants will be required to undergo an online presence review, including a social media screening. This move has led to the cancellation and rescheduling of visa appointments, affecting H-1B visa holders the most. In India, the US Embassy has suspended all visa appointments, leaving many H-1B visa holders stranded. A spokesperson for the US Embassy confirmed that this new measure is part of a broader effort to thoroughly vet all visa applicants. 'We conduct online presence reviews for students and exchange visitors, and now we're expanding this to H-1B and H-4 applicants,' the spokesperson stated. The Department of State emphasizes that every case undergoes a thorough security assessment, with a focus on confirming that applicants do not pose a threat to US safety and security. The embassy will allocate sufficient time to review each application and notify applicants of any changes. This update comes after a ruling by the Trump administration that mandated social media screening for H-1B and H-4 applicants. The US Embassy in India has warned applicants against attending their previously scheduled appointment dates, citing the need to adjust appointments to match resource availability. The new online presence review will be applied to all H-1B and H-4 applicants, with the goal of ensuring that only eligible individuals are granted visas. The US Department of State will continue to monitor and adapt the visa application process as needed to ensure the safety and security of the United States.