US Visa Changes : New US Visa Rule Sparks Panic Among Indians As Social Media Checks Start

10th December 2025 at 3:16 PM

1 minute read

A new US State Department rule requiring all H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependents to make their social media accounts public for visa vetting.

New Delhi : A new US State Department rule requiring all H-1B workers/applicants and their H-4 dependents to make their social media accounts public for visa vetting — both in cases of renewal and fresh applications. The policy, which takes effect December 15, comes as Indians account for more than 70 percent of all H-1B approvals and nearly 90 per cent of H-4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) holders.

Immigration lawyers say the new mandate, which allows consular officers to review applicants’ public posts on platforms like X, Instagram and LinkedIn, has created palpable fear. Even mundane remarks, political opinions or misaligned resume details could trigger extra scrutiny. The anxiety has already turned to disruption. Tech firms with large Indian workforces are advising employees to audit social profiles, avoid sharing political memes and use professional emails on petitions.

Many applicants learnt their December slots had been pushed to March 2026, leaving new hires unable to start jobs, families stranded abroad and travellers stuck after short visits home for weddings or to drop off parents. According to the State Department, the new rule expands the online-presence review already used for students and exchange visitors. The department defended the policy as essential to identifying threats.

The US Embassy in India on Tuesday cautioned visa applicants not to show up on their old interview dates if they have already been notified of a reschedule. Anyone who arrives on a previously scheduled date, officials warned, will be turned away at the gate. The Embassy said: “If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. The reminder comes at a time when visa interview slots are in heavy demand and wait times routinely stretch for months.