VOI World/ Desk
The US government has introduced new H-1B vetting procedures for Indian applicants, adding a review of online activity to the visa process. The H-1B vetting rule requires consular officers to check the social media presence of all applicants and their dependents as part of visa assessment from December 15.
A cable sent by the US State Department to missions abroad outlines the instructions for H-1B vetting, including a review of public posts and online interactions on major platforms. The guidance covers applicants under H visas and other non-immigrant categories and asks officers to examine whether applicants worked in areas linked to content moderation, misinformation, disinformation or online safety.
Indian professionals represent one of the largest groups of H-1B users, including technology workers and physicians. The heightened H-1B vetting process may affect both new and repeat applicants from India. The cable notes that people employed in technology or financial services may undergo additional scrutiny if their responsibilities involved oversight of online speech.
The State Department says the policy does not restrict free expression and is intended to protect public discourse and prevent the manipulation of online platforms. The update follows an earlier one-time 100,000 dollar fee on new H-1B visas announced in September.
The H-1B programme remains a key pathway for skilled workers from India to enter the US, especially in the technology sector.
