Archive · 10 Dec 2025
US Expands Visa Screening and Revocations
The United States is making some changes to how it checks people who want to come or stay in the country on special visas, like the H-1B and H-4.
Starting December 15, these people and their family members will need to make their social media profiles public so that officials can check them.
This is to make sure they are safe and not a risk to the country.
The US has also started canceling some visas as a precaution, even if the person had a minor issue with the police in the past that was already cleared.
This means that when these people travel outside the US, they will have to go through extra checks when they come back.
The government says these changes are to keep the country safe, but some lawyers say it is making things harder for people who have already been checked and cleared.
The US has also added a new fee of USD 100,000 for new H-1B visas and has paused Green Card applications for people from 19 specific countries.
These measures are part of the US government's efforts to tighten immigration rules and prevent abuse of the visa system.
US expands social media screening to include H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J visa applicants and their family members starting December 15.
The US is issuing prudential visa revocations for H-1B and H-4 holders based on past police interactions, even if the issues were already cleared.
A USD 100,000 fee has been introduced for new H-1B visas, and Green Card applications for nationals of 19 countries are paused pending a comprehensive review.
Prudential revocations do not affect lawful stay in the US but require re-scrutiny when traveling abroad.
Immigration attorneys argue that these measures are redundant and inefficient, as many cases have already been vetted and cleared.
- Who
- H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, holders, and their family members
- What
- Expanded social media screening, prudential visa revocations, and additional visa restrictions
- When
- Starting December 15 for social media screening; ongoing for revocations
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To enhance national security and prevent potential risks, according to the government; attorneys argue the measures are redundant and inefficient
Government Perspective
Immigration Attorneys' Perspective
Visa Revocations
Government Perspective
The US Department of State is issuing prudential visa revocations as a precautionary measure to protect national security, even for old, cleared cases.
Immigration Attorneys' Perspective
Immigration attorneys argue that these revocations are redundant and inefficient, as many cases have already been vetted and cleared.
Visa Screening Process
Government Perspective
The government believes expanded social media screening and prudential revocations are necessary to ensure national security.
Immigration Attorneys' Perspective
Attorneys argue that these measures add unnecessary stress and uncertainty for visa holders, especially for those who have already disclosed and cleared past incidents.
- Visa Types Affected
- H-1B, H-4, F, M, J
- Implementation Date for Social Media Screening
- December 15
- Purpose of Screening
- National security and public safety vetting
- Additional Measures
- USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, pause on Green Card applications from 19 countries
- Countries Affected by Green Card Pause
- Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen
- Impact of Prudential Revocation
- Visa holders can remain in the US but face re-scrutiny when traveling abroad
Sources
US visa new rule crackdown: H 1B, H 4 visa applicants need to make social media profiles public
Trump administration revoked 85,000 US visas since January as officials tighten rules
More H-1B, H-4 visas being revoked over old, cleared police cases, says immigration attorney
US delays H-1B visa appointments in India — When are they being rescheduled?
Visa Chaos in India: US Defers Hundreds Of H-1B Appointments To 2026 - What's Happening?
