If you want to study or work in the US, President Donald Trump’s administration will now scrutinize your social media accounts. They will check what you post, your opinions, and your views related to the US and its interests.
Since this new social media vetting rule was introduced, it has caused major issues.
It has significantly disrupted the processing of H-1B visa applications from India, leading to many appointments being postponed to next year.
On Tuesday night, December 9th, the US Embassy in India issued an advisory for visa applicants. The advisory stated:
“If you have received an email informing you that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on the new appointment date.”
Warning for Applicants and Upcoming Delays
The US Embassy also warned that anyone who tries to arrive on their old appointment date after receiving a new one will not be allowed to enter. The embassy stated:
“If you arrive on the earlier appointment date, you will be denied entry to the embassy or consulate.”
According to a Bloomberg report, H-1B interviews scheduled for December are now being pushed to March next year.
The exact number of Indian applicants affected is still unclear. Steven Brown, a lawyer at a major business immigration law firm, confirmed this by saying:
“Mission India confirms what we’re hearing. They have canceled a number of appointments for the coming weeks. These appointments have been postponed to March to conduct social media investigations.”
New Policy and Additional Fees
In September, President Donald Trump also introduced a new policy imposing a $100,000 (around ₹8.8 million) fee for the H-1B visa.
Along with this, the government has started strict checks of applicants’ social media accounts.
The H-1B visa is crucial for skilled Indian professionals who want to work in the United States.
