Kumar Utkarsh
Kumar Utkarsh is a journalist, technology observer, and cricket enthusiast with over three years of experience in the media industry. Currently serving as a Sub-Editor at India Dot Com English, he cov ... Read More
The US Department of State has issued a final rule to conduct social media checks on H-1B visa applicants and their family members starting from Dec. 15, 2025.
The new rule, published in the Federal Register on Aug. 31, is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to increase vetting of travelers and immigrants to the United States to protect national security and public safety.
The State Department said all applicants for H-1B visas and their H-4 dependent family members would be subjected to social media checks during the visa application process.
The new rule comes at a time when H-1B visa application season is underway. The H-1B visa category, which allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, is used by technology firms and other businesses to employ skilled foreign workers.
What Does the Screening Entail?
The rule requires visa applicants to provide information about their social media presence. The social media identifiers may include social media handles, identifiers, or online platform aliases used in the past five years.
Visa applicants must also ensure that their social media accounts are viewable by the public so consular officers can access them.
State Department officials will review the social media posts, connections, and other information shared online by visa applicants to determine if the information is consistent with supporting documents submitted by an applicant. Supporting documents typically include work history, education, and other details to justify an applicant’s visa eligibility.
The State Department said in a press release that the review of social media accounts and online information is one of the many methods that U.S. officials will use to evaluate whether a visa applicant is inadmissible or a threat to U.S. interests.
State Department official also said in the press release, “Visa decisions are a matter of national security, and each is made with the understanding that obtaining a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.”
Expanded Vetting Procedures
Legal and immigration experts told Forklore that expanded social media vetting is a trend that began several years ago and has been ramped up in the Trump administration.
The social media background checks may be used to verify employment history and educational information provided by visa applicants, identify inconsistencies, and find red flags in social media content that do not align with the visa application package, Forklore reported.
Social Media Checks Raise Concerns Among Applicants
The news of the social media screening and appointment cancellations at U.S. consulates in India have already raised concerns among H-1B visa applicants.
The immigration attorneys, Forklore quoted, said visa applicants should ensure their social media information is consistent and complete. Incomplete social media information can slow down the visa process or lead to refusals, particularly if a post can contradict information provided in a visa application, Forklore said.
Policy Overview
In September, the Trump administration rolled out a $100,000 fee on all new H-1B visa applications. The fee was met with criticism from some U.S. states and tech industry groups. The Social Security Number and USCIS Fee Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on June 26, 2023, requires a new fee on initial H-1B visa petitions to cover the cost of USCIS case processing and fraud prevention.
The State Department has proposed to add more vetting questions, request additional documents, and conduct more interviews of visa applicants, some of which are part of the regulatory reforms issued by the Trump administration in its first two years.
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