On December 3, 2025, the Department of State announced via its website that, effective December 15, 2025, the enhanced social media vetting currently in place for F, M, and J visa applicants would be expanded to H-1B and dependent H-4 visa applicants.
Like F, M, and J visa applicants, H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will now be required adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public” while their visa applications are processing with the Department of State.
Prior to or following the consular interview, applicants should expect to receive instructions via email to set their social media profiles to public for the required social media vetting to take place. The process typically takes several days to complete prior to visa issuance and we expect the same process will now apply to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants.
The DOS is framing these procedures as national security measures, and has directed embassies and consulates to screen for applicants who pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety based on publicly available information, including their social media presence.
If the consular officer finds derogatory information, they can refuse the application, call the applicant back for a follow-up interview, or conduct additional review.
Applicants are encouraged to check the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where they intend to apply for up-to-date appointment availability and any country-specific requirements and to ensure that they are regularly checking the email for additional informational requests both before and after their consular interview.
Visa applicants should budget additional time (typically 1 additional week) when applying for F, M, J, H-1B and H-4 visa stamps to allow sufficient time for consular posts to complete the necessary social media vetting before issuing visa stamps.
The brief announcement contains limited additional information and leaves open questions such as how it will treat minor H-4 dependents who may have limited or no social media presence.
D&S is continuing to monitor this developing situation and will provide updates as they become available.