US Orders H-1B, H-4 Visa Applicants to Keep Social Media Profiles Public for Screening

By A Staff Reporter

Washington: In a significant expansion of its digital-era vetting measures, the US government has directed H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents to keep all their social media profiles set to “public” as part of the screening process. The new order, issued by the State Department on Wednesday, will take effect from December 15 and marks a further tightening of background checks for foreign workers and their families.

According to the directive, consular officers will conduct a review of applicants’ online presence across major social media platforms. The move extends a policy already applied to students and exchange visitors, making digital scrutiny a standard requirement across a broader category of visas.

Officials say the measure is aimed at strengthening security checks and ensuring full transparency during the visa vetting process. However, it is likely to raise concerns among applicants about privacy, data security and the subjective interpretation of online content during visa adjudication.

The H-1B visa, widely used by Indian professionals in the tech sector, permits highly skilled foreign workers to take up employment in the United States, while the H-4 visa is issued to their spouses and dependents. The new requirement adds another layer of compliance for thousands of individuals preparing to apply or renew their visas.