Applying for a US work visa may now take longer than expected. The United States has widened its background screening process for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants worldwide. The move adds online presence checks to routine vetting and comes amid tighter scrutiny of non-immigrant visas.
What Has the US Changed in H-1B and H-4 Visa Screening?
The US Department of State has confirmed that it has expanded online presence reviews to all applicants applying for H-1B and H-4 visas. The screening applies to every applicant, regardless of nationality or location.
“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,” it said in a worldwide alert on Monday.
Officials said the review is now part of standard visa screening and is meant to improve security checks.
What Is an Online Presence Review?
An online presence review allows US authorities to examine an applicant’s public digital footprint. This includes social media activity, online posts, and other publicly available information.
US authorities said the review helps identify applicants who may pose a national security risk. The process does not stop visa processing, but it can add time to approvals.
Will US Embassies Still Process H-1B and H-4 Visas?
The Department of State said US embassies and consulates will continue to accept and process visa applications.
“We encourage applicants to apply as early as they can and anticipate additional processing time for these visa classifications,” it said.
Applicants may face longer wait periods as consulates conduct deeper background checks.
Why Is the Trump Administration Tightening Visa Rules?
The expansion comes during a period of heightened scrutiny of immigration policies under the Trump administration. Work and student visa categories such as H-1B, H-4, F-1, and J-1 have seen policy changes and delays.
US authorities say the aim is to prevent misuse of visa programmes while maintaining access to skilled foreign workers.
Indian H-1B Visa Holders Face Delays
The new screening has hit Indian professionals particularly hard. Hundreds of Indian H-1B visa holders who travelled to India in December to renew their visas are now stuck.
US consular offices cancelled scheduled interviews and issued new dates months later. Many applicants remain unable to return to their jobs in the US.
Reports indicate that the delays are directly linked to the expanded online presence reviews.
Why H-1B Visas Matter to Indians
The H-1B programme has long allowed skilled professionals to work in the United States. Indians make up more than 70% of H-1B visa holders.
However, the programme has faced criticism from US President Donald Trump and several allies. Their opposition forms part of a broader shift toward stricter immigration policies.
What Applicants Should Do Now
Visa applicants should prepare for longer processing times. Experts advise reviewing social media activity and ensuring information shared online aligns with visa applications.
Applying early and tracking embassy updates can help reduce uncertainty.
The expanded screening signals stricter oversight of non-immigrant visas. While US officials say the goal is security, many applicants worry about delays and uncertainty.
For now, H-1B and H-4 applicants must plan carefully as digital checks become a permanent part of US visa processing.
