Applicants must set social media profiles to public to allow consular officers full access during adjudication. The policy, announced December 3, extends vetting previously applied mainly to student and exchange visas.
In India, home to the majority of H-1B holders, thousands of scheduled stampings have been rescheduled months out—often from December to March through May 2026—stranding professionals who traveled home for renewals.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi warned applicants against showing up for canceled slots and urged early filings amid expected longer waits.
Officials frame the measure as a national security enhancement to detect risks or misuse. Private or absent profiles may invite extra scrutiny.
Indians receive about 70 percent of annual H-1B allocations, fueling U.S. tech giants like Amazon and Google. Firms advise visa-dependent staff to avoid international travel until processes stabilize.
Broader Trump-era changes include a $100,000 fee for certain new petitions and a "Gold Card" investor residency program at $1 million.
Immigration attorneys report rising anxiety among skilled workers, with some exploring alternatives in Canada or Europe.
Consulates continue processing applications, but the added layer signals sustained tight controls on employment-based immigration.
