The United States has tightened security screening procedures for people applying for H-1B visas and their dependents (H-4).
Under the new rules, starting December 15, the online presence and social media profiles of these applicants will undergo mandatory review.
This requirement already exists for students and exchange visitors, and now it will also apply to applicants of H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J non-immigrant visas.
The US State Department has advised all applicants to keep their social media accounts public so the review can be completed smoothly.
What the US State Department Explained
According to the State Department, visa screening and vetting use all available information to identify applicants who might pose risks to US national security, public safety, or national interests.
As part of this process, applicants’ online activities will now be carefully examined.
The US has also clarified that every visa decision is linked to security concerns and that it is important to ensure applicants will not engage in harmful activities after entering the country.
Officials stated that applicants must convincingly show that they will respect and follow all visa conditions.
Visa Is a Privilege, Not a Right
The State Department emphasized that holding a US visa is not a right but a privilege, and applicants must meet all required security standards to be approved.
