Expansion of DOS social media vetting for H-1B/H-4 (and F/M/J) visa applicants

On December 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that it will expand its online presence review requirement to all H-1B principal applicants and H-4 dependents, effective December 15, 2025. DOS had already imposed similar screening on F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visa applicants earlier in the year. Official DOS notices: H-1B/H-4 announcement:https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/announcement-of-expanded-screening-and-vetting-for-h-1b-and-dependent-h-4-visa-applicants.html Earlier F/M/J announcement (June 18, 2025):https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/06/announcement-of-expanded-screening-and-vetting-for-visa-applicants Under these policies, H-1B and H-4 applicants – along with F, M, and J applicants already covered – are instructed to set their social media accounts to “public” so consular officers can review online content as part of...