In a significant policy shift that could impact thousands of Indian professionals, the United States will implement a new rule from 15 December requiring all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants to make their social media accounts accessible for official scrutiny. The measure, announced by the US State Department as part of “expanded screening and vetting,” mandates applicants to provide complete visibility of their online presence, including platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Under the revised protocol, consular officers will be authorised to assess an applicant’s digital footprint to verify background information, employment claims and any potential security-related concerns. The move aligns with Washington’s broader strategy to integrate online behavioural assessment into immigration decision-making, a practice already adopted for several student and visitor categories.
The change is expected to have a substantial bearing on Indian applicants, who constitute the largest share of H-1B beneficiaries globally, particularly in the technology sector. Immigration experts believe the new requirement could lead to heightened scrutiny, delays in processing and possible refusals where inconsistencies or sensitive online content are detected. While US authorities maintain that the initiative strengthens national security, critics argue that mandatory disclosure of social media activity raises privacy concerns and may disproportionately affect high-volume applicant countries such as India. With the new rule set to take effect shortly, visa aspirants are advised to review their online profiles to ensure alignment with official documentation and avoid potential discrepancies.
