Trump’s Big Visa Shake-Up: Mandatory Public Social Media Profiles for All H-1B and H-4 Applicants Under New Vetting Order

The Trump administration on Wednesday unveiled a major tightening of US visa rules, announcing expanded social media vetting for all H-1B visa applicants and their dependents. The directive marks one of the most sweeping digital-surveillance requirements introduced for employment-based visa seekers, including tens of thousands of Indians.

H-1B visas, used by US employers to hire skilled foreign professionals, are central to the tech industry. American technology companies, many of which supported Donald Trump in the last election, rely heavily on talent from India and China. According to an internal State Department memo, applicants who have participated in “censorship” of free speech online may now be grounds for visa rejection.

Profiles Must Be Public From December 15

In a press release, the State Department confirmed that from December 15, all H-1B applicants and their dependents (H-4) must make their social media profiles public for examination. The requirement will also apply to students and exchange visitors under the F, M, and J visa categories.

“To facilitate this vetting, all applicants … are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public’,” the statement said. The department emphasised that officers must examine applicants’ online presence as part of their security assessment.

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‘A Visa Is a Privilege, Not a Right’ 

Reiterating that a US visa is “a privilege, not a right,” the State Department said every visa adjudication is treated as a national security decision. It argued that vigilant screening is essential to ensure applicants do not pose any threat to Americans. 

Responding in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said visa scrutiny lies entirely within the sovereign authority of the host country. “The issuance of visas is a sovereign right of a government,” he said, noting that the US has clearly indicated its intent to examine applicants’ online activity.

Jaishankar added that India has intervened in specific cases. “Wherever it came to our attention…the consulates and embassies have intervened where possible,” he said. India has asked the US to ensure minor online infractions do not lead to punitive action.

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