Visa and Social Media [TKB World]

The Trump administration in the United States has implemented a major change to the visa process. Starting Monday, the social media profiles of H-1B visa applicants and their dependents (H-4 visa holders) will be subject to rigorous scrutiny. This move is aimed at further tightening visa screening and vetting procedures. In a new order, the State Department announced that from December 15, the online presence of all H-1B applicants and their dependents will be reviewed.

What is the new rule?
The U.S. State Department issued an order stating that from December 15, all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will have their online presence reviewed. Previously, this rule applied only to students and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories), but it has now been extended to include H-1B and H-4 visa holders.

Social media profiles must be made public
According to the new guidelines, all visa applicants must make their social media profiles public. This includes students and exchange visitors in the F, M, and J visa categories, in addition to H-1B and H-4 visa holders. Due to this new rule, several H-1B visa holders have had their interviews rescheduled . The U.S. administration maintains that a visa is not a right but a privilege, and national security is given top priority in the visa process.

Why was this step taken?
The Trump administration stated that vigilance in the visa issuance process has become crucial to prevent any individual from entering the United States and harming the country’s security or interests. Every applicant must prove that they will engage in activities consistent with the terms of their visa.