US H-1B Visas: The US has expanded its overview of social media and on-line presence to incorporate all H-1B specialty occupation staff and their H-4 dependents, the US Embassy in India introduced on December 10. On Monday, the embassy clarified in a quick assertion that the Division of State’s on-line presence overview applies to all H-1B and H-4 candidates as a part of customary visa screening procedures.
Moreover, the embassy inspired candidates to use as early as doable and suggested them to anticipate an prolonged processing time for his or her visa functions.
In a publish on the social media platform X, the embassy issued a “WORLDWIDE ALERT FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICANTS.”
“Starting December 15, the Division of State expanded on-line presence evaluations to ALL H-1B and H-4 candidates as a part of customary visa screening. This vetting is being carried out globally for ALL candidates of ALL nationalities for H1-B and H-4 visas,” it added.
Explaining the target behind the transfer, the embassy elaborated, “It’s an effort to handle abuse of the H-1B program whereas nonetheless allowing corporations to rent one of the best of one of the best non permanent overseas staff.”
“U.S. embassies and consulates proceed to simply accept and course of H-1B and H-4 nonimmigrant visa functions,” it mentioned.
“We encourage candidates to use as early as they’ll and anticipate further processing time for these visa classifications,” the publish concluded.
WORLDWIDE ALERT FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICANTS
Starting December 15, the Division of State expanded on-line presence evaluations to ALL H-1B and H-4 candidates as a part of customary visa screening. This vetting is being carried out globally for ALL candidates of ALL nationalities… pic.twitter.com/qMrMrOvqy0
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 22, 2025
Additionally Learn- FIIDS Urges Trump Administration To Ease H-1B Visa Delays
US H1-B Visa
ANI reported that based on an April 2025 report from US Citizenship and Immigration Companies (USCIS), India accounts for 71 per cent of visa holders.
In July, the State Division introduced that H-1B holders and their dependents on H4 visas wouldn’t be capable of renew their paperwork in a 3rd nation as of September 2.
Donald Trump-Administration Hikes H1-B Visa Charges
This comes after the proclamation issued by US President Donald Trump on September 19, ordering a USD 100,000 payment for brand spanking new H-1B visa functions.
In accordance with the US State Division, present visa holders and petitions submitted earlier than that date stay unaffected. Beneath the proclamation, a USD 100,000 payment should accompany each new H-1B visa petition filed after the deadline, together with these submitted for entry into the 2026 lottery.
Notably, the brand new payment requirement applies solely to people or corporations submitting new H-1B petitions or getting into the H-1B lottery after September 21.
Indians H1-B Visa Holders Stranded
Indian H-1B visa holders who travelled again this month to resume their American work permits are stranded amid their appointments being abruptly rescheduled by US consular places of work, the Washington Publish reported, citing three immigration legal professionals.
The Indian high-skilled staff had appointments cancelled between December 15 and 26, the legal professionals mentioned, a interval coinciding with the US vacation season. In emails seen by The Washington Publish, the State Division instructed visa holders their interviews have been being delayed after the implementation of the Trump administration’s new social media vetting coverage.
(with ANI inputs)