As of December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of State will review the online presence (including review of social media accounts) for all H-1B visa applicants and their dependents. This reflects an expansion of the review already in place for students and exchange visitors. To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public.”

As consulates adapt to new requirements, H-1B/H-4 visa applicants may be subject to delays, requests for more information, or re-scheduling of visa appointments, particularly at high volume consulates such as those in India.

Note:  All nonimmigrant visa applicants must provide usernames, previous email addresses, and phone numbers used in the past five years. Applicants are not required to disclose passwords. Covered social media platforms requiring disclosure include, but are not limited to,  Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, Reddit and LinkedIn, among others.  Officers and government agencies may use software tools to search and review social media platforms.  The purpose is to vet applicants, verify information provided on visa applications and immigration petitions, to ascertain eligibility for the visa requested, and to identify areas of further inquiry.

If you have specific questions or need legal advice, please contact your Van Der Hout representative before departing the U.S.