Expanded Online Presence Screening for H-1B And H-4 Visa Applicants

On December 3, the Department of State announced that U.S. embassies and consulates will begin additional screening of the online presence of H-1B applicants and their H-4 family members. This new measure expands existing screening and vetting processes for F-1 and J-1 visa applicants, which were announced in June 2025.

DOS emphasized that:

• Visa screening is treated as a national security measure.
• Officers may review any publicly available online information to verify eligibility and identify potential security risks.
• Applicants must demonstrate that they intend to engage only in activities permitted under their visa classification.

The measure will be effective starting December 15. More information is available on Klasko’s website.