International professionals applying for H-1B work visas — and their families on H-4 dependent visas — face a significant new hurdle at the consulate. Under an expanded U.S. Department of State screening policy that took effect December 15, 2025, H-1B and H-4 applicants must set their social media accounts to public so consular officers can review them as part of the vetting process.
The requirement mirrors a rule already applied to F, M, and J student and exchange-visitor applicants earlier in 2025, and it is now a standard part of consular processing for the H category.
What applicants must do:
- Any social media account listed on the DS-160 visa application, and any account that clearly identifies the applicant, should be set to public before the interview.
- Applicants are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles so those profiles can be reviewed during adjudication.
What officers are looking for. According to State Department guidance, consular officers review online activity for indications of hostility toward U.S. citizens, culture, government, or founding principles; evidence of advocacy for or support of designated foreign terrorist organizations or other national-security threats; signs an applicant may attempt to steal sensitive technical information or exploit U.S. research and development; and a history of certain political activity.
Real-world impact: expect delays. Because officers must now allocate time for online-presence reviews, there have been widespread reports of H-1B and H-4 appointments being canceled and rescheduled — sometimes months later. Applicants planning travel, start dates, or dependent filings should build in extra buffer time.
Practical advice. Well before your interview, audit every account you have listed on the DS-160, make the listed accounts public, and ensure your online presence is accurate and consistent with your application. Do not delete accounts you disclosed, as an incomplete or misleading disclosure can itself raise concerns. If you are unsure how the policy applies to your situation, consult an immigration attorney.
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Source: U.S. Department of State