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Original Date Announced
December 3, 2025The Department of State issued an announcement stating that as of December 15, 2025, all applicants for H-1B nonimmigrant visas and their dependents applying for H-4 visas will be required to submit to an "online presence review." The announcement states that all visa applicants in these categories will be instructed to set their social media accounts to public. Applicants for F, M, and J visas for students and exchange visitors have already been subject to an online presence review since at least June 2025.
As justification, the announcement states that the United States "must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission ... do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission."
According to Reuters, the State Department cable sent to all U.S. missions on December 2, orders a review of resumes or LinkedIn profiles of H-1B applicants and their H-4 family members to screen for activities such as "misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance and online safety, among others." The cable read: "If you uncover evidence an applicant was responsible for, or complicit in, censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the United States, you should pursue a finding that the applicant is ineligible."
Trump 2.0 [ID #2108]
2025.12.03 DOS - Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Visa ApplicantsEffective Date
December 15, 2025Current Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Action: Agency DirectiveSubject Matter: Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based Non-Immigrant Visas: StudentAgencies Affected: DOSAssociated or Derivative Policies
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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