United States Expands Online Presence Review to H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants

H-1B and H-4 Visa Online Review: What Is Changing? 

Starting December 15, all H-1B specialty occupation workers and their H-4 dependents will be required to: 

• Make their social media accounts publicly visible during the visa application process. 

• Undergo a review of their social media content, activity, and any other publicly accessible online presence. 

• Potentially face additional screening if any information is perceived as inconsistent or “derogatory” by U.S. authorities. 

The State Department has not yet defined the specific standards that will be used to evaluate online presence. However, applicants may experience: 

• Longer administrative processing. 

• Requests for additional information. 

• Possible visa refusal in cases where concerns are raised. 

Why This Matters for Employers 

For organisations employing global talent, especially in specialised or hard-to-fill roles, this update presents new considerations: 

1. Increased Processing Times 

Additional screening may extend visa processing timelines, impacting workforce planning, onboarding, and mobility schedules. 

2. Employee Preparedness 

Applicants must understand the requirement to set social media profiles to “public” and ensure that their online presence aligns with the information provided in their application. 

3. Higher Compliance Expectations 

Employers may need to support employees with clear guidance to prevent avoidable delays or issues during consular processing. 

What Should Employers Do Next? 

To mitigate risk and maintain US visa compliance, employers can: 

• Communicate early with affected employees about the new review process. 

• Ensure consistency of job titles, employment history, and job duties across resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and visa documentation. 

• Prepare for longer timelines when planning project assignments, relocations, or renewals. 

• Work with an immigration specialist to address questions or discrepancies before consular interviews. 

How Atlas HXM Supports Global Mobility 

As the largest direct Employer of Record (EOR), Atlas HXM helps organisations navigate evolving compliance requirements in more than 160 countries. Our in-country experts and global mobility team monitor policy updates like this to help businesses: 

• Reduce compliance risk 

• Maintain operational continuity 

• Support employees through complex immigration processes 

We will continue to track changes to U.S. visa procedures and share updates as new guidance becomes available.