The United States will enforce a new social media screening policy for all H-1B visa applicants and their dependents starting December 15. Under the rule, applicants must make their social media accounts public for scrutiny during the visa issuance process. Any content flagged as suspicious, including posts critical of the U.S. government or culture or showing support for extremist groups, could lead to visa rejection. This policy is part of the broader U.S. effort to strengthen national security.
The new rule applies not only to new visa applicants but also to current H-1B holders re-entering the U.S. Immigration authorities may review public posts, online activity, and other digital footprints at any time, including during airport entry. Experts warn that this move will particularly impact foreign professionals in sectors such as IT, where U.S. companies heavily rely on H-1B talent.
This social media screening expansion follows previous measures, including sharply increased H-1B visa fees, which already limited entry for many foreign nationals. Authorities emphasize that compliance with these rules is mandatory, and failure to make social media accounts public or presence of undesirable content could result in visa denial. The policy represents a significant shift in U.S. immigration enforcement in the digital era.