The US on Monday announced that the Department of State has extended online presence reviews to all H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of routine visa screening.
“This vetting is being conducted globally for ALL applicants of ALL nationalities for H1-B and H-4 visas. It is an effort to address abuse of the H-1B program while still permitting companies to hire the best of the best temporary foreign workers," the US Embassy in India said in a worldwide alert on Monday.
WORLDWIDE ALERT FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICANTS
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 22, 2025
Beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to ALL H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening. This vetting is being conducted globally for ALL applicants of ALL nationalities… pic.twitter.com/qMrMrOvqy0
It added that US embassies and consulates will continue to accept and process H-1B and H-4 non-immigrant visa applications, but advised applicants to apply as early as possible and be prepared for additional processing time for these categories. This comes after Trump's administration's high scrutiny of non-immigrant visa holders, especially the H-1B employees.
Also Read: Why Have H-1B Visa Renewal Appointments in India Been Cancelled Without Warning?
Visa categories such as H-1B, F-1 and J-1 have been significantly impacted by changes introduced under the Trump administration. Many visa holders have been left stranded in their home countries after travelling for renewals, as US consulates delay scheduled interviews to conduct more extensive background checks.
Hundreds of Indian H-1B visa holders who returned to the country to renew their work permits this December are stranded in India after US consular offices abruptly cancelled their appointments, giving them fresh dates only months later.
Why H-1B Holders Who Returned to India to Renew Work Visa, Stranded in Country Till Next Year
Indian H-1B visa holders who travelled back to India this month to renew their US work permits have been left stranded after American consular offices abruptly rescheduled their visa appointments, according to a report by The Washington Post citing immigration lawyers.
The affected high-skilled workers had visa interviews scheduled between December 15 and 26, a period that coincides with the US holiday season. Immigration lawyers said these appointments were cancelled or postponed without clarity on fresh dates, disrupting travel and work plans.
Emails reviewed by The Washington Post showed that the US State Department informed applicants their interviews were being delayed following the rollout of the Trump administration’s new social media vetting policy. The review aims to ensure that no applicant poses a threat to US national security or public safety.
