As per the new mandate, H-1B visa holders must undergo social media screening for visa renewal. Meanwhile, confusion and chaos haunts the H-1B visa holders in Kolkata as most of them fail to see a feasible solution to their problems amid a lack of clarity over visa screening and renewal. Many H-1B visa holders fear job loss, financial troubles and prolonged separation from family. Under the expanded social media vetting policy, visa applicants are required to set their online privacy settings to public to facilitate review. According to an April 2025 report by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, India accounts for 71 per cent of all H-1B visa holders, making the delays particularly consequential for Indian professionals.

Source: The Telegraph December 24, 2025 08:22 UTC