Social Media Vetting and Delays in H-1B and H-4 Visa Processing

Last Updated December 9, 2025

On December 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that beginning December 15, 2025, social media review is now required for all H-1B and H-4 visa applications in addition to F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applicants.

All applicants for H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J non-immigrant visas are now required to make the privacy settings on all social media profiles “public.” Then, consular officers are required to review social media to determine if visa applicants are admissible to the United States, including whether applicants pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety, whether applicants are eligible for the requested visa, and whether applicants intend to engage in activities consistent with the requirements for that visa.

In light of this announcement, there are reports of mass rescheduling of consular interviews to allow time for this review process. As of December 9, 2025, interviews scheduled on or after December 15, 2025, are being rescheduled for interviews months later, with new interviews reported in March 2026 and some as late as June 2026.

We will continue to update this blog as more details unfold, so please bookmark this page for updates.

Who Is Affected?

All applicants for H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J non-immigrant visas at U.S. Consulates abroad are now required to make social media profiles public. Consular interviews are being rescheduled and delayed to implement social media review procedures.

Who Is Not Affected?

Persons who are in H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J status in the U.S. are not affected by this new announcement as long as they do not leave the U.S. Please see our related blog if you have questions about the recent processing hold and updates for certain immigration benefits applications by persons in the United States.

Persons who already have valid visas issued are not covered under this new guidance, but we still recommend avoiding unnecessary international travel as details unfold. Persons who already have valid nonimmigrant visas are still subject to questions about intentions for the period of stay as well as public safety, national security, and inadmissibility issues.

What Should You Do Now?

If you are in H-1B, H-4, F, M, or J status in the U.S. and have international travel plans coming up, we recommend postponing or canceling travel until we have more guidance regarding the new processing system, interview delays, and any reported issues with visa processing related to these new requirements.

If you are outside the US and seeking an H-1B, H-4, F, M, or J non-immigrant visa, you will be required to make social media profiles public and allow extra time for the Consulate to review that information. Please ensure to make your social media profiles public before the interview appointment in order to seek to avoid a visa refusal for administrative processing and longer delays.

We recommend picking the earliest available visa appointment if your visa interview is rescheduled and checking back regularly for updates to see if earlier appointments become available.

How Can Vrapi Weeks Immigration Attorneys Help?

Vrapi Weeks immigration attorneys have a dedicated team of professionals with expertise in immigration matters filed for family members, immigration matters filed by employers, and immigration matters filed by individuals. We handle many types of immigration matters and can assist you with green card applications, work permits, waivers, employment-based visas, and family-based visas. If you have questions or would like for our local attorneys to evaluate your options, please schedule a consultation with our experienced team of immigration lawyers at Vrapi Weeks today.