{"id":1687,"date":"2025-12-05T07:03:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T07:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/?p=1687"},"modified":"2025-12-05T07:07:28","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T07:07:28","slug":"h-1b-visa-rule-mandatory-social-media-check-begins-december-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/05\/h-1b-visa-rule-mandatory-social-media-check-begins-december-15\/","title":{"rendered":"H-1B Visa Rule: Mandatory Social Media Check Begins December 15"},"content":{"rendered":"

US Imposes Mandatory Social Media Screening for H-1B Visa Applicants; India Raises Concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The United States has introduced stricter security checks for foreign nationals<\/a> applying for H-1B visas<\/a>, directing all applicants and their H-4 dependents to make their social media profiles publicly accessible for review. The new rule, which takes effect from December 15<\/strong>, significantly expands digital vetting requirements for highly skilled workers seeking employment in the US.<\/p>\n

According to a recent directive from the US State Department<\/a>, applicants for H-1B, H-4, as well as F, M, and J non-immigrant visas must ensure that their social media accounts are visible to adjudicating officers.<\/em> <\/strong>This shift has been designed to improve national security assessments during the visa screening process.<\/p>\n

The order states: \u201cTo facilitate this vetting, all applicants\u2026 are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to \u2018public\u2019.\u201d<\/em> The department further stressed that a US visa is \u201ca privilege and not a right\u201d<\/em> and that each decision forms a part of the country\u2019s broader national security framework, to avoid all potential and unforeseen risks.<\/p>\n

The policy has triggered unease among thousands of Indian professionals, who represent one of the largest groups applying for H-1B visas each year.<\/a> Many fear the new approach could lead to over-scrutiny of personal content, misinterpretation of digital activity, and extended delays in visa processing.<\/p>\n

Jaishankar Responds to New H-1B Vetting Rules<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Speaking in Parliament, the Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar<\/strong> acknowledged that the United States has the sovereign authority to determine its visa policies. He noted that the US government views every visa issuance as a national security decision and<\/em>\u00a0therefore retains the right to review applicants\u2019 online activity.<\/p>\n

Jaishankar confirmed that India has raised concerns with American officials wherever specific issues were flagged. He emphasised that Indian missions have intervened in cases brought to their attention and encouraged the US to avoid harsh punitive measures for minor or unintentional infractions on social media.<\/p>\n

New Order Adds to Broader Trump-Era Tightening of Immigration<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This latest directive follows a series of tough immigration policies<\/a> introduced under President Donald Trump<\/strong>, who has repeatedly argued that the H-1B programme is vulnerable to misuse. Indian IT professionals, who make up a significant share of H-1B recipients<\/a>, are expected to be among the most impacted.<\/p>\n

Earlier in September 2025, Trump had issued a proclamation titled \u201cRestriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers\u201d<\/strong>, imposing a one-time $100,000 fee<\/strong> on new H-1B applicants.<\/a> The move was widely criticized for potentially increasing the financial burden<\/a> on skilled workers and US-based tech companies that rely heavily on foreign talent.<\/p>\n