State Department to Require Social Media Review for H-1B Visa Applicants

Student visa and exchange visitor applicants are already being subject to an online presence review.

U.S. flag and U.S. H-1B Visa application form are seen in this illustration taken on Sept. 26, 2025. Dado Ruvic/Reuters

The U.S. State Department announced on Dec. 3 that it will add an online presence review to the vetting requirements for all H-1B visa applicants and their dependents starting Dec. 15.

H-1B visa applicants and their dependents will have to make their social media profiles public as of Dec. 15, according to the department. Student visa and exchange visitor applicants are already subject to this review.