US Introduces Social Media Screening for Visa Applicants
The United States has implemented new visa rules requiring social media checks for all applicants, a policy that came into effect on December 15. Immigration experts say the move is aimed at identifying inconsistencies or potential security risks in applications, affecting H-1B, student, and other non-immigrant visa categories.
Under the new rules, consular officers review public profiles across platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, as well as blogs, resumes, and even YouTube comments linked to an applicant’s name. Officials are particularly looking for contradictions with official visa applications, signs of immigrant intent, or extremist support. Private or restricted profiles could also raise concerns.
Immigration lawyer Brad Bernstein advises applicants to carefully audit their online presence before interviews and avoid deleting posts after submitting applications, as this may worsen the situation. The policy has already caused significant delays, with many late December visa appointments pushed to March 2024, leaving numerous H-1B applicants in India waiting indefinitely.
The social media vetting represents a major tightening of US visa procedures, highlighting the importance of digital footprints in the application process.
