Effective December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will broaden its online presence review requirements. The policy now MANDATES social media screening for the following nonimmigrant visa applicants during the visa adjudication process:
- H-1B Principal Applicants
- H-4 Derivative Spouses and Children
- F and M Student Visa Applicants
- J Exchange Visitor Visa Applicants
To comply with this expanded vetting, the State Department has directed that all social media accounts belonging to H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J visa applicants must be set to "Public." This requirement applies to all nonimmigrant visa processing at U.S. consulates both domestically and overseas.
I. Why the Enhanced Vetting? (National Security Screening)
The State Department asserts that the U.S. government utilizes all available public information during the visa process to ensure the applicant does not:
- Threaten U.S. national security or public safety.
- Meet any grounds of inadmissibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
While online vetting was already in place for F, M, and J student and exchange visas, this update formally incorporates H-1B and H-4 professional categories into this systematic background check process.
The DOS Position: "Every Visa Adjudication is a National Security Decision"
The State Department emphasizes that "Every visa adjudication is a national security decision." Therefore, Consular Officers must confirm that the applicant:
- Does not intend to cause harm to the U.S. or its citizens.
- Meets the purpose and intent of the visa classification they are seeking.
- Will engage in activities in the U.S. consistent with their visa conditions.
It is a core principle that a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.
II. Immediate Action Required for Applicants
Applicants must immediately audit and adjust the privacy settings on all their public-facing online platforms. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Twitter / X
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Weibo / Xiaohongshu (If applicable)
Action: Change all privacy settings to "Public."
Failure to comply with this disclosure and access requirement may lead to severe consequences, including:
- Issuance of a 221(g) Administrative Processing refusal.
- Significant interview delays.
- Issuance of a Request for Further Documentation.
- Outright visa denial.
III. Impact on Applicants and Compliance Standards
The expansion of this review means that Consular Officers can now review the entirety of the applicant's public digital footprint. Online content will be fully incorporated into the national security background investigation.
Applicants must exercise increased compliance awareness during the application process. If an applicant's social media presence contains sensitive, inconsistent, or questionable information, it could jeopardize their visa outcome.
IV. Summary and Recommendation
This policy update signifies a further commitment by the U.S. government to:
- Strengthen Social Media Review for the professional H-1B/H-4 categories.
- Integrate Online Data into the formal national security vetting framework.
- Demand Credibility and Candor from all applicants regarding their visa eligibility.
To ensure the smoothest possible visa process, applicants should proactively adjust their online profiles to maintain consistency and professionalism.
