H-1B Update: US Begins Screening Applicants' Social Media, 'Prudentially' Revokes Some Visas

Last Updated:December 15, 2025, 09:52 IST

The State Department has said visa checks do not end at approval and continue to ensure adherence to US immigration laws in a social media post earlier this year.

Indian H-1B applicants are facing interview delays as the US tightens visa screening. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE/REPRESENTATIVE)

United States H-1B and H-4 visa holders have received emails from consulates informing them that their temporary working visas have been “prudentially revoked".

The development comes as H-1B visa interviews in India were postponed and as the US began scrutiny of social media accounts of applicants, a check that was previously limited to international students looking to study in the US.

It should be noted that prudential visa revocation is a temporary, precautionary action taken out of prudence, and not a permanent denial of the visa.

The Trump administration on Sunday said that starting December 15 H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents in the US will undergo enhanced screening and social media vetting.

The US State Department issued a new order directing all H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependent visa holders to make their social media profiles public for review during the vetting process.

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