US Expands Mandatory Online Vetting to All H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants, Causing Widespread Delays

The United States has implemented expanded "online presence reviews"—including scrutiny of social media and digital footprints—for every H-1B and H-4 visa applicant worldwide, effective December 15, 2025. The policy applies universally to applicants of all nationalities as part of routine visa screening.

In a statement posted on X on December 22, the US Embassy in India announced the change, describing it as a measure to curb misuse of the H-1B program while allowing US firms to recruit top global talent for temporary roles. "US embassies and consulates continue to accept and process H-1B and H-4 nonimmigrant visa applications," the embassy noted, advising applicants to submit requests early and prepare for extended processing times.

The enhanced vetting has triggered significant disruptions, particularly in India, where thousands of pre-booked H-1B visa interviews scheduled from mid-December onward have been cancelled and rescheduled—often by several months, with new dates extending into March, May, or even later in 2026. Many affected individuals, primarily Indian IT professionals and their dependents who travelled home for visa renewals, are now stranded without valid stamps to return to their US jobs.

The H-1B visa remains critical for American tech giants, with Indian nationals comprising the majority of beneficiaries. The new requirements build on earlier guidelines urging certain applicants to make social media profiles public for verification.

In Parliament, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed on December 18 that the US views every visa decision as a national security matter, with broadened screening now covering H-1B/H-4 categories alongside student and exchange visas.

The embassy has repeatedly emphasised that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, amid ongoing efforts to tighten immigration controls and prevent program abuse.

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