DOS Announces New Online Screening Rules for H-1B and H-4 Applicants
On December 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that it will expand its existing “online presence review” requirement to cover all H-1B specialty occupation workers and their H-4 dependent family members applying for visas at U.S. consulates abroad. Beginning December 15, 2025, consular officers will review the digital footprint of these applicants as part of the visa adjudication process, in addition to the F, M, and J student and exchange visitor applicants who are already subject to this review.