US Government to Make Social Media Information Public for Visa Applicants

Expansion of Screening for H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants

The US government has expanded its screening and scrutiny of H-1B visa applicants and their dependents holding H-4 visas. They have been instructed to make all their social media profile privacy settings public. The Department of State announced on December 3 that starting from December 15, the online activities of all H-1B applicants and their dependents will be reviewed. Students and exchange visitors were already under such scrutiny, and the new rule now includes H-1B and H-4 visa applicants.

Indian professionals, particularly technology workers and doctors, are the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B visa program. According to Reuters, an internal memo from the State Department has mentioned that any individual involved in 'censorship' regarding freedom of expression may be considered for denial of a visa.