Immigration
U.S. Expands Online Screening for H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants – What You Need to Know
By Buchanan Attorneys Khushbu Patel and Dilip Patel
In a significant shift to its visa application process, the U.S. Department of State announced that starting Dec. 15, 2025, it will implement an expanded vetting procedure for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. This new policy, which adds an online presence review to the existing background checks, is expected to cause delays and disruptions for thousands of foreign nationals seeking to work or join family in the United States. Here is what you need to understand about this development, its implications, and how applicants and employers should prepare.
What Is Changing?
Traditionally, visa applicants undergo a series of background checks and interviews designed to ensure they are admissible to the United States. Starting Dec. 15, 2025, the Department of State has taken this process further by scrutinizing applicants’ online presence. This includes reviewing social media accounts, publicly available information on websites and databases, and even online activity.
Why this change? The U.S. government states the new vetting aims to enhance national security, especially concerning individuals in the tech sector, and to identify any involvement in activities that could threaten free speech or involve censorship. The policy is part of a broader effort to tighten immigration security, and it extends the existing online review for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, J categories) to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants as well.
The Impact in India and Beyond
Early reports suggest that U.S. consulates in India, which handle a significant portion of H-1B visa applications, have already begun canceling and rescheduling interviews initially planned for Dec. 15 or later. Some applicants have seen their appointments moved as far out as July 2026 — meaning delays of several months.
While these cancellations were primarily concentrated in India, particularly the U.S. Consulates in Hyderabad and Chennai, officials warn that similar disruptions have begun to occur at other posts worldwide. Applicants should prepare for an uncertain timeline, especially if they have upcoming appointments or travel plans.
How Will the Online Presence Review Work?
Applicants will be required to set all their social media privacy settings to “public” to facilitate the review. The Department of State will examine:
- Social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- Online activity and posts
- Publicly available information in databases and websites.
This expanded scrutiny means even minor online activity could influence visa outcomes. If an applicant has a criminal history or controversial online presence, they risk delays or denials, even if they have previously traveled to the United States without issues.
What Are the Broader Implications?
For Applicants
- Delays and cancellations: Applicants scheduled for interviews should expect possible cancellations or rescheduling, potentially months into the future.
- Travel planning: Those without valid visas should reconsider international travel plans, as delayed appointments could prevent timely reentry into the United States. Unless there is an emergency or immediate need to travel, it would be best to reconsider upcoming travel plans abroad.
- Online privacy adjustment: Applicants must review and change their social media settings to “public” immediately to comply with the new policy.
For Employers and HR Teams
- Contingency planning: Employers should stay in close contact with their H-1B employees, especially those whose appointments are canceled or delayed.
- Monitoring updates: Since policies could evolve rapidly, organizations should prepare for further adjustments or new requirements.
For the Immigration System
This expansion signifies a move toward more comprehensive screening, aligning with broader national security priorities. However, it also raises concerns about privacy, fairness, and the potential for increased delays that could affect U.S. businesses and international talent mobility.
What Should Applicants Do Now?
If you are an H-1B or H-4 visa applicant with upcoming appointments:
- Check your appointment status immediately and monitor it for possible rescheduling.
- Adjust your social media privacy settings to “public.” Review all your profiles and online activity.
Tampa Bay area welcomes Attorney Khushbu Patel
We are pleased to introduce Attorney Khushbu Patel to our readers. Khushbu is an experienced immigration attorney and has recently joined the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney law firm to work with Dilip Patel, who writes our immigration articles. Khushbu brings with her a wealth of knowledge in immigration law and a passion for helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of the immigration process.
Khushbu was born and raised in Richmond, Va., where she developed a strong foundation in legal principles and a deep commitment to serving her community. She earned her law degree from a respected institution, Rutgers Law School, where she developed a keen understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants in the United States.
She married in April 2024 and recently moved to the Tampa area with her husband, who works in commercial contracting. Khushbu’s move to Tampa not only marks a new chapter in her personal journey but also allows her to contribute her expertise to the growing community in the region. Fluent in Gujarati, she is an active member of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Thonotosassa, Florida.
We are thrilled to welcome Khushbu to our readers and look forward to the invaluable information she will provide to them in the field of immigration law.