Washington: The United States has begun enhanced social media screening for H-1B work visa applicants and their H-4 dependent family members, a move that immigration experts say is already leading to a rise in so-called “prudential” visa revocations—even in cases where applicants have no criminal convictions.
Immigration lawyer Emily Neumann has noted that prudential revocations for H-1B workers and their dependents are increasing, particularly where applicants had prior interactions with law enforcement that were disclosed and approved during earlier visa processes.
The development follows a new directive from the US State Department requiring all H-1B applicants and H-4 visa holders to make their social media accounts publicly accessible for vetting. The requirement also applies to applicants under the F, M, and J non-immigrant visa categories.
“All applicants for H-1B visas and their dependents under the H-4 category, as well as F, M, and J non-immigrant visas, must set the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public’ to enable this review,” the State Department said.
Rise in “Prudential” Visa Revocations
According to Neumann, many cases now facing revocation had already passed previous screening checks. She questioned whether repeated reviews are an efficient use of government resources, stating that while a prudential revocation does not affect an individual’s lawful stay in the US, it does mean the issue will be revisited at the next visa interview.
A prudential visa revocation is a temporary, precautionary cancellation issued by the US Department of State when officials foresee a potential eligibility concern but have not reached a final decision. Legal experts stress that such revocations are not punitive and do not change an applicant’s current legal status in the country, though they can create uncertainty by requiring further scrutiny during future visa appointments.
Part of a Broader Immigration Tightening
The expanded screening is part of a wider tightening of US immigration rules. Social media checks were earlier extended to student visa applicants, reinforcing the government’s stance that visa vetting is an ongoing process.
In September, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” describing it as an initial step toward reforming the H-1B programme. The administration has also proposed a one-time fee of $100,000 for new H-1B visas, a move expected to significantly affect Indian professionals.
Additionally, the US has temporarily suspended citizenship, green card, and other immigration applications from individuals belonging to 19 “countries of concern” following a recent security issue. The pause on asylum applications pending comprehensive review further signals a stricter approach to immigration screening across visa categories.
