The United States Expands Security Screenings and Requires Public Social Media Profiles for H-1B and H-4 Applicants
The Department of State announced that, starting December 15, the requirement to review the online presence of all H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents will be expanded. This process, which previously applied only to students and exchange visitors, now requires those applying for H-1B and H-4 visas, as well as the F, M, and J classifications, to set all their social media accounts to “public” privacy mode to facilitate verification.
According to the Department of State, background reviews use all available information to identify applicants who may be inadmissible to the United States for public or national security reasons. This includes rigorous evaluations of online activity, a process that had already been systematically applied to students and exchange visitors in the F, M, and J categories.
The agency emphasizes that every visa decision involves a national security analysis. Therefore, the United States must maintain a strict vetting process to ensure that those seeking to enter the country do not pose risks and can credibly demonstrate that they meet the criteria of the visa type requested, including their intent to engage exclusively in the activities permitted under that classification.
The Department reminds that obtaining a U.S. visa is a privilege and not a right, and that the evaluation process will continue to prioritize the protection of citizens and national interests.
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