New Social Media Review of H-1B and H4 Visa Applicant
The U.S. Department of State has officially announced its policy to expand the review of online information (e.g., social media) for applicants for H1B professional visas and H4 visas for their spouses and family members, effective December 15, 2025. This means that online information verification, previously introduced only for students (F visas) and exchange visitors (J visas), will now apply to the H1B and H4 categories.
Applicants are instructed to set the privacy settings of all social media accounts to Public, which will allow the State Department to use this information to verify the purpose of the applicant's stay, consistency with the application, and behavioral intentions while in the United States.
The same day's announcement also has an accompanying cable that requires consular officers to review H1B and H4 applicants' LinkedIn profiles and resumes to determine whether the applicant or family members are involved in "false information, fact-finding, compliance, or online safety" activities. In addition, if a consular officer discovers suspicion that an applicant has engaged in censorship of protected expression in the U.S., he or she may find the applicant inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
The State Department emphasizes that all visa reviews are national security determinations, and it will use all information, including online information, in its review. This expanded screening may delay visa processing in cases where online activity is extensive or complex. While the actual screening process and the scope of information to be checked are expected to be clarified in more detail in future operations, applicants will need to be careful to check publicly available information on social media in advance to ensure that it is consistent with the content of their visa application. It is also important to organize online activities and postings in advance, as deleting or changing information after the application has been submitted may raise concerns about credibility and misrepresentation.
December 2025
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Hawaii and Kentucky (inactive) attorney with Go Law Group, assisting corporations and individuals throughout the United States with a focus on immigration law. She has extensive experience in litigation, intellectual property, and patents, and is well versed in corporate law.