US H-1B Visas: What Is Washington’s Aim With New Rules? Embassy Says… | World News

US H-1B Visas: The United States has expanded its social media and online presence review to all H-1B specialty occupation workers and their H-4 dependents, the U.S. Embassy in India announced Dec. 10. The State Department’s online presence review applies to all H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening procedures, the embassy announced in a brief statement Monday.

Additionally, the embassy encouraged applicants to apply as early as possible and advised them to anticipate that visa applications will have a longer processing time.

In a post on social media platform X, the Embassy issued a “WORLDWIDE WARNING FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICATIONS.”

“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 review is conducted globally for ALL applicants of ALL nationalities for H1-B and H-4 visas.”

Explaining the goal behind the move, the embassy said, “This is an effort to address the abuse of the H-1B program while allowing 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,” the statement said.

“We encourage applicants to apply as early as possible and anticipate additional processing time for these visa classifications,” the post said.

WORLDWIDE WARNING FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICATIONS

Beginning December 15, the State Department expanded online presence reviews to ALL H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening. This review is conducted globally for ALL applicants of ALL nationalities… pic.twitter.com/qMrMrOvqy0— US Embassy in India (@USAndIndia) December 22, 2025

Also Read- FIIDS Calls on Trump Administration to Ease H-1B Visa Delays

USA H1-B Visa

ANI reported that India accounts for 71 per cent of visa holders as per the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) report dated April 2025.

In July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that H-1B holders and their dependents with H4 visas will not be able to renew their documents in a third country as of September 2.

Donald Trump-Administration Increases H1-B Visa Fees

This follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement on September 19 demanding a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications.

According to the US State Department, existing visa holders and petitions submitted before this date will not be affected. According to the notice, a $100,000 fee will be added to each new H-1B visa petition filed after the deadline, including those submitted to participate in the 2026 lottery.

Notably, the new fee requirement applies only to individuals or companies that file new H-1B petitions or enter the H-1B lottery after September 21.

Indians H1-B Visa Holders Stranded

Indian H-1B visa holders who returned to renew their American work permits this month were left in a difficult situation as their appointments were suddenly rescheduled by US consular offices, Washington Post reported, citing three immigration lawyers.

Appointments of Indian highly skilled workers were canceled between December 15 and 26, coinciding with the US holiday season, lawyers said. In emails viewed by the Washington Post, the State Department told visa holders that their interviews were delayed following the implementation of the Trump administration’s new social media review policy.

(with ANI entries)