Pre-scheduled H-1B visa interviews, originally set for late December, have been abruptly postponed—in some cases by several months — as the Trump administration rolls out stringent new background and social media screening norms. The H-1B visa programme is a critical pipeline for the US tech sector, allowing companies to recruit foreign workers with specialized skills. Emily Neumann, Houston-based immigration attorney, criticised the cancellation of the H-1B visa appointments in India. Social media screening According to the US State Department, as of 15 December, a review of the online presence for all H-1B applicants and their dependents will be conducted. Students and exchange visitors were already subject to this review and now the department has expanded this requirement to vet social media profiles to include H1-B applicants and their dependents on H-4 visas.

Source: Mint December 22, 2025 13:35 UTC