Expanded Screening of H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants Starting December 15, 2025
On December 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that starting December 15, 2025, H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will be subject to a review of their online presence as part of their visa application process at U.S. Embassies/Consulates abroad. To facilitate this vetting, visa applicants will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public.” This is an expansion of the online presence review already in place for F, M, and J visa applicants.
As a reminder, it is very important that you contact your advisor at the MIT International Students Office, MIT International Scholars Office, or your H-1B-sponsoring employer for individualized advice before you travel internationally or if you have any questions about this announcement.
