US Embassy India issues worldwide alert for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants; says: We encourage applicants to apply as …

The US Embassy in India has issued a critical “Worldwide Alert” for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. Effective immediately, the US Department of State has expanded its screening protocols to include a comprehensive review of social media accounts of all applicants. The move suggests that the exercise is a part of a larger global effort to maintain the integrity and address the potential “abuse of the H-1B program” while ensuring that American companies can continue to recruit top-tier international talent

Who the US Embassy's alert is for

The worldwide alert, which was announced on December 22, applies to all H-1B and H-4 applicants regardless of their nationality. Notably, consular officers will now conduct “online presence reviews” as part of the standard visa screening process. This typically involves a review of social media profiles, public digital footprints and other online identifiers to verify the background and intent of the applicant.

Apple, Google and Microsoft warn visa workers not to travel

The US is now reviewing the social media of some visa applicants. Several major tech companies are warning visa holders not to leave the country. Apple, Google and Microsoft have reportedly sent memos to their visa workers, warning them not to travel. Apple's immigration team sent an email that reads:

"Given the recent updates and the possibility of unpredictable, extended delays when returning to the US, we strongly recommend that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for now. If travel cannot be postponed, employees should connect with Apple Immigration and Fragomen in advance to discuss the risks."
Meanwhile, in its advisory, Microsoft said that employees on H-1B/H-4 that there’s an ongoing visa appointment rescheduling and stamping delays due to new social media screening, said to address the potential “abuse of the H-1B program”. The company called it a “rapidly developing situation” and issued “preliminary guidance” for employees who are in the US and are outside the US urging them to “return before your current visa expire”.

Read the full advisory by US Embassy India: Full text

WORLDWIDE ALERT FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICANTS

Beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to ALL H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening. This vetting is being conducted globally for ALL applicants of ALL nationalities for H1-B and H-4 visas. It is an effort to address abuse of the H-1B program while still permitting companies to hire the best of the best temporary foreign workers. U.S. embassies and consulates continue to accept and process H-1B and H-4 nonimmigrant visa applications. We encourage applicants to apply as early as they can and anticipate additional processing time for these visa classifications.