US Visa Social Media Vetting Begins, Causing Delays and New Rules for Applicants

New US visa rules now require social media checks for all applicants. This major policy shift started on December 15. According to a Times of India report, immigration lawyer Brad Bernstein confirmed the change.

The vetting aims to find inconsistencies in applications. It applies broadly to H-1B, student, and other non-immigrant visas. Officials will examine public online profiles as part of the security screening.

How Visa Officers Are Screening Online Profiles

Consular officers now review every public social media account. This includes platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. They also check blogs, resumes, and even YouTube comments linked to an applicant’s name.

The goal is to find contradictions with the official visa application. Bernstein told the Times of India that a private profile could lead to instant visa cancellation. Officials look for signs of immigrant intent or extremist support.

Advice for Applicants and Immediate Fallout

The immigration lawyer advises all applicants to “Google” themselves first. They must fix any public contradictions before their visa interview. Deleting posts after applying, however, makes the situation worse.

This new process has created immediate backlogs. Many US visa appointments for late December were pushed to March 2024. Numerous H-1B candidates are now stranded in India indefinitely.

The new US visa social media vetting process marks a significant tightening of border security. Applicants must carefully audit their digital footprints to avoid denials.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Which visas require social media checks?

The checks apply to all US non-immigrant visa categories. This includes H-1B and H-4 visas, student visas, and other temporary work permits. No applicant category is exempt from the new review.

Q2: What are officials looking for on social media?

Officials seek inconsistencies with the visa form. They also look for signs of immigrant intent or extremist views. Statements about wanting to live in the US permanently can cause problems.

Q3: Should I delete my social media before applying?

No. Lawyers advise against deleting content after filing your application. Making profiles private is also risky, as it may lead to automatic visa cancellation.

Q4: Has this caused visa appointment delays?

Yes. Appointments scheduled for the second half of December were moved to March 2024. The extra screening time has created a significant backlog.

Q5: What is the best advice for applicants now?

Search your own name online to see what officials will find. Correct any public contradictions before your interview. Be prepared to explain any discrepancies.

Q6: Where does this information come from?

This reporting is based on information from the Times of India and insights from immigration lawyer Brad Bernstein. The policy was confirmed by US State Department instructions.