Washington, Dec 23: The United States has expanded online presence reviews to all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants worldwide, a move that will subject thousands of skilled workers and their families to additional screening beginning Dec. 15.
The US Department of State said the enhanced checks are now part of its standard visa screening process and apply to all new applications and renewals, regardless of nationality or country where the visa is sought.
“Beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to all H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening,” the department said in an official advisory.
Under the expanded process, consular officers may review applicants’ publicly available digital information, including social media activity and online profiles, to verify identity, background and possible security concerns. While such reviews were previously conducted in select cases or visa categories, the new policy significantly broadens their scope.
US authorities said the step is intended to curb fraud and abuse in the H-1B programme while preserving access for US employers seeking highly skilled foreign professionals.
Officials added that embassies and consulates will continue to accept and process H-1B and H-4 non-immigrant visas as usual, but applicants should expect delays.
“We encourage applicants to apply as early as they can and anticipate additional processing time for these visa classifications,” the advisory said.
The H-1B visa allows US companies to employ foreign professionals in specialised fields, while the H-4 visa is issued to their spouses and dependents. The programme has long been the subject of political debate in the US, with successive administrations seeking stricter oversight amid concerns about misuse and domestic job protection.
