Federal: Expanded social media screening for H1-B applicants

At a glance

• The State Department announced expanded online presence reviews for visa applicants.
• Effective December 15, 2025, all H-1B and H-4 dependents, as well as F, M, and J visa applicants, must set social media profiles to public.
• The review aims to assess national security risks and eligibility using social media data.
• Expanded screening may result in longer visa processing times.

The State Department recently announced an expansion of the requirement that an online presence review be conducted for all H-1B applicants and their dependents (in addition to the students and exchange visitors already subject to this review). Starting on December 15, 2025, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J non-immigrant visas must adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to 'public.' The State Department uses all available information, including social media, in visa screening and vetting to determine national security risks and eligibility. The expanded screening could lead to longer processing times.